Leigh Merlesena and Nicole Arruda
Name: Leigh Merlesena
Job Title: Team Leader Registered Nurse
Entity: Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth
Name: Nicole Arruda
Job Title: Registered Nurse
Entity: Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth
About Leigh:
My first job, right out of nursing school, in 2009 was here at this hospital, and I have never left. I have seen so many changes while being here on 3 East over the years, but one thing has always remained consistent-the teamwork. I’ve been charge nurse for about 11 years, and although coworkers come and go, I have made lasting relationships with so many people and feel that it is those are the relationships that make BID such a great place to work!
About Niki:
I also started here as my first job right out of nursing school; however, I started much later in life. I always wanted to be a nurse and finally was able to make that a reality 4 years ago. I started here in the ACE unit and moved to 3 East shortly thereafter. I am so grateful for all the people who have mentored me and the skills I have gained while working here. I was honored, earlier this year, to be the recipient of the Nursing Excellence Award, for which I am beyond humbled. I owe so much to my floor and the amazing nurses I have the pleasure of working with every day!
As a Med/Surg RN, the floor is a dynamic and rewarding environment, where there is a constant variety of both patients and medical conditions. This type of floor can be a challenge for any RN, new or seasoned. This setting forces you to not only depend on the other members of the team, but to lean on the support and strength of your colleagues as the needs of a fast-paced environment change throughout the day. Trust is so important when you are working in healthcare. The patients need to feel that they can trust the healthcare team, and the team needs to trust each other. On this floor we seem to work extremely well together, understanding our strengths and weaknesses, and anticipating the needs of both our coworkers and the patients. Getting to witness a patients journey from acute illness to recovery is an opportunity to make an impact, while using critical thinking and empathy, to assist in their healing-which is the ultimate goal on a Med/Surg floor.
3 East is an environment that fosters growth for new nurses and a safe place to land for those of us looking for long term stability. This floor goes beyond being just coworkers, we celebrate each other’s highs and lows: birthdays, weddings, births and more. We are proud to work with each other and genuinely care a great deal about supporting each other both in and out of work. We throw parties for our long-term patients, visit them when they move on to long-term care, support them when they need a shoulder to lean on throughout their illnesses, and fond farewells to those that need extra bravery. We have such a strong bond and work cohesively to create a culture that excels in teamwork and positivity.
Leigh and Niki have become close friends while working on 3 East and look forward to each shift they get to spend working together. This floor has been the catalyst for not only a strong working relationship but a truly rewarding friendship!
