At UHS, nursing assistants are recognized as essential members of the healthcare team. They provide critical support in various hospital settings and are celebrated for their role during National Nursing Assistants Week. This week highlights the importance of nursing assistants (NAs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in delivering high-quality care.
UHS acknowledges the dedication of its nursing assistants across different departments such as Behavioral Health, Pediatrics, Cancer Care, CVICU, Telemetry, and the Emergency Department. Their responsibilities include assisting with personal hygiene, recording vital signs, monitoring patient conditions, aiding mobility, and ensuring a safe environment.
Lyza Durgala and Kristal Button from UHS Wilson Medical Center shared their experiences. Lyza stated that compassion is integral to their daily work: “You have to be compassionate in your role.” Kristal echoed this sentiment: “Compassion is my favorite.” Both emphasized teamwork’s significance in their roles. Kristal noted, “Teamwork makes the dreamwork,” while Lyza highlighted how teamwork fosters meaningful relationships at work.
The role allows NAs to grow professionally within UHS policies while expanding their skills. Lyza mentioned becoming a “skin care champion” after completing wound care classes. She expressed that there’s always room for growth: “There’s always room to grow and learn new things.”
UHS supports career advancement through its Education Incentive Programs, offering pathways for employees to pursue further education in nursing or other allied fields. In 2024, UHS introduced the Sunshine Program to recognize non-licensed support staff like nursing assistants for their exceptional contributions.
Both Lyza and Kristal praised UHS as an employer. Lyza said she appreciates what UHS stands for, while Kristal described it as a nice place to work with positive interactions among staff.
UHS encourages those interested in joining its team to explore opportunities available on its careers website.
Explore open roles at https://www.nyuhscareers.org/NursingAssistants/.
