Three VNSNY Nurses Are Honored with UFT Awards!
On Tuesday, April 30th, the United Federation of Teachers honored VNSNY nurses Nicola Toney, Shawne Browne-Delaney and Ruth Caballero for their contributions to the nursing profession and to the union’s Federation of Nurses chapter, which represents VNSNY’s RNs and LPNs. The three nurses were presented with their awards at the union’s annual Nurse Recognition Day ceremony.
Bringing Comfort and Fulfilling Last Wishes
Nicola Toney, a nurse with VNSNY Hospice and Palliative Care, was one of two professionals presented with the UFT’s 2019 Nurse of Distinction Award. The award was given in recognition of how Nicola embodies the field’s best practices in caring for her patients in the home care setting and tailoring her care to each patient’s individual needs.
Nicola first joined VNSNY in the 1990s, working as a Partners in Care home health aide for two years. After returning to school to become a licensed practical nurse, she has been a VNSNY hospice nurse since 2003. For most of that time, she has also served her colleagues as a grievance representative for the UFT. “My goal is to provide excellent patient care at all times, by bringing comfort to patients and helping them die with dignity,” says Nicola. “The feeling that comes from being able to assist someone in fulfilling their last wishes—like the patient who I helped recently to sit for a few minutes on a favorite couch just before she passed away—is why I became a hospice nurse.”
Supporting Plan Members, Nursing Colleagues and the Community
Shawne Browne-Delaney, a nurse care coordinator with CHOICE MLTC, is one of two nurses named UFT Homecare Nurse of the Year for 2019. Shawne was selected for her community outreach, staunch advocacy, and tireless efforts to address the needs of her patients. In addition to her work with MLTC members, Shawne is a union representative and assistant borough coordinator for the UFT in Brooklyn. “I do a lot of health education outreach through the UFT to local churches and other organizations,” she explains.
Between her job and her community work, adds Shawne, “it’s a very rewarding life.” She also credits the combined support of VNSNY and the UFT for inspiring her to go on and earn a bachelor’s and then a master’s degree in nursing. “The two organizations were my passport to higher learning!” she says.
“Using All My Skills” for Patient Care and Student Mentoring
Ruth Caballero, a field nurse in VNSNY Home Care’s Manhattan region, received the UFT’s 2019 Trailblazer Award. The award reflects her leadership in mentoring nurses and helping them learn the culture of home care, as well as her dedication to achieving excellence with each patient. “I’ve been caring for VNSNY patients in Washington Heights for 17 years, and I often have nursing students shadowing me in the field for four to six weeks at a time,” she says. “I mentor them on what to expect as a nurse, and discuss with them the different areas of nursing they can work in.”
Ruth also serves as VNSNY’s union secretary and stands in as union representative when needed, handling calls from her fellow VNSNY nurses on a variety of topics. “After being a hospital nurse for many years, I found I really love working in home care,” she says. “I’m always encouraging my nursing colleagues to consider this field. With VNSNY, I’m using all my nursing skills!”
