SPIRIT of Excellence Award: Acute Care Registered Nurse of the Year
Each year, Spirit of Excellence Awards are presented by our parent company, Amedisys, to select employees who demonstrate exceptional caregiving support to the field and display Amedisys’ core values, which include service, passion, integrity, respect, innovation and talent.
Our 2024 Acute Care Registered Nurse of the Year Award was presented to Sandra Moloney, BSN, RN, an Acute Care Registered Nurse (ACRN) supporting our Recovery Care at Home program at Mount Sinai Health System in New York. Here are some of the wonderful things Sandra’s colleagues said in their nominations in support of her:
We are proud to spotlight Sandra’s achievements in this role, and we asked her to share a little more about herself and her day-to-day work as an ACRN.
Can you share a little about your professional background?
I currently have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and I hope to pursue my master’s degree soon. I have a background in psych, the medical intensive care unit and as a private duty nurse.
Can you describe your role at Contessa and what drew you to this job?
In my role as an ACRN I do multiple visits a day to patients’ homes. Just like in any hospital setting, I monitor their health status and answer any medical questions with interdisciplinary collaboration. As a dayshift ACRN I set up daily video visits with a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant and social worker. I collect labs, administer IV medications, oral medications, provide oxygen and other necessary equipment that is brought directly to the home.
Our very competent 24-hour hotline service is just one aspect that drew me to this job because it provides our patients with ease knowing they have someone to answer any enquiries they might have when the ACRN isn’t at the home. My job offers a more personal, one-on-one connection with my patients. The environment is a little more relaxed and familiar for them, and that allows us to build trust and rapport in a way that’s sometimes harder in the hospital setting.
It’s also nice being part of my patients’ healing process in their own space where I can witness firsthand the impact of their environment on their recovery. I get to see their daily routines, interactions with family members, and how they manage their health in the context of their everyday life. It’s nice to know that we are helping someone maintain their dignity and independence while still offering the support they need to improve.
What is your patient care philosophy?
My patient care philosophy is to offer personalized care to each patient I encounter, focusing not just on their illness, but also on making them feel comfortable, respected and confident in my nursing skills.
Tell us about life outside of work!
I’m married with two boys, one a sophomore in college and the other a senior in high school. And of course, my spirited bundle of energy — my Yorkipoo dog.
I like to stay active and get outdoors as much as possible, usually hiking or going for long walks with my friends. It makes me feel recharged and relaxed.
What are some words of wisdom that you live by?
“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one,” and fortunately, I love the road I’m on.
Thanks, Sandra, for sharing your talents and passion for caregiving with your patients, their families and the Contessa team! We are grateful for the care and attention you and other Acute Care Registered Nurses like you contribute to advancing healthcare at home.