A passionate employee is one who brings their best self to work, focuses on opportunities instead of obstacles, isn’t easily discouraged, and is always driven to do their best work. That’s the attitude one particularly outstanding Consulate employee, who recently received the Florida Healthcare Association’s LPN of the Year award, brings to work every day. “These nurses represent the leaders in the profession and we are proud to honor them for their contributions to help their facilities strive toward continuous quality improvement,” said Joe Mitchell, FHCA President.
Charlotte Merenda, a wound care nurse at Bay Breeze Health and Rehabilitation Center, was one of four nurses honored at the Long Term Care Excellence in Nursing Awards this year. She says her passion for healing others continues to grow each year she spends as a nurse. This is no small feat considering the residents she cares for enter our care centers with Stage IV wounds that can reach the muscle and bone. But after nearly 30 years of helping residents regain a sense of normalcy in their lives, it comes as no surprise that Charlotte has become known for her expertise in wound care.
Charlotte’s dedication has been awarded with numerous accolades over the years. She has been recognized as Bay Breeze’s Nurse of the Year twice and earned numerous Gold Stars acknowledging her wound care accomplishments. These awards are given to employees who show extraordinary dedication to resident care and job performance at Bay Breeze. When Charlotte isn’t receiving awards for her patient care, she’s quick to share lessons she has learned over the years with her staff, as she believes education is the most productive means to preventing wounds, as well as resolving them. “The most important aspect of teaching is earning the respect of fellow nurses and CNAs,” Charlotte said, “This respect results in a teaching environment where expectations are high and outcomes are positive. One other way to foster a great learning environment is to praise the nursing staff often for their role in preventative measures.”
Charlotte is an asset to the residents and staff of Bay Breeze Health and Rehabilitation, and they’re proud to work with someone as passionate as her. According to her coworkers, she has a passion for healing wounds and providing excellent resident care. She manages to make each day enjoyable for her peers and those she cares for. So congratulations on your well-deserved awards, Charlotte. We can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you!
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