With encouragement from colleagues, Muriel Jones, LPN, is returning to school this year to start classes for her RN degree. Jones is The Barry Robinson Center’s most recent recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
Jones works primarily with adolescent girls and also occasionally helps out with younger residents and older boys. Her responsibilities involve providing hands-on care to residents, keeping them safe, administering medication, educating, maintaining records, and communicating with doctors and parents.
“In a nutshell, it’s being RICH at all times,” she explained, echoing the BRC philosophy of Respect, Information, Connection and Hope.
As a BRC employee for about a year and a half, the humble Jones was a bit taken aback when she learned about the award.
“I was surprised that I was a DAISY Award recipient, not because I don’t work hard but because I am fairly new at BRC. And, I do work with a team of hard-working, seasoned nurses who are deserving of this award,” she said.
The DAISY Award is a highly regarded recognition program found in more than 3,900 healthcare facilities and nursing schools in all 50 states and 22 countries.
An acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem, The DAISY Foundation was formed in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died at age 33 of complications from an auto-immune disease. The nursing care Barnes received profoundly touched his family.
Anyone in a participating organization – patients, family members, other nurses, physicians, and staff – can nominate a nurse who provides extraordinary compassionate care.
Jones enjoys many aspects of her nursing role. She especially appreciates the interaction with residents, seeing their change, and knowing that she and the nursing team are able to help them grow.
A native of South Africa, Jones previously worked as an elementary school teacher before moving to America in 2000. She decided on a career switch and attended Tidewater Tech nursing school, graduating in 2008. After passing the licensure exam, she began working with long-term care and geriatric residents at an area rehabilitation center in 2009.
Since joining the BRC team, Jones said she realizes personal and professional growth are necessary. She looks forward to earning her RN degree and continuing to serve with excellence.