Where compassion meets career: The life of a UHS nursing assistant

At UHS, Nursing Assistants are compassionate, dedicated and essential members of our team. They play a vital role in delivering exceptional patient care, navigating high-stress environments while also providing essential support across all areas of the hospital. Through the testimonials shared by Nursing Assistants, the meaningful rewards and impact of this role truly come to life. UHS is not just a place of employment, but a community where each team member has the opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of others.

Celebrating National Nursing Assistants Week: June 12-18

As we celebrate National Nursing Assistants Week, we recognize the invaluable contributions of our Nursing Assistants and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who consistently display Our Values of Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork and Innovation. This week highlights the essential role NAs and CNAs play in delivering high-quality care and improving patient outcomes.

Integral team members

Our Nursing Assistants work in a variety of inpatient, procedural and emergency settings. Whether in Behavioral Health, Pediatrics, Cancer Care, CVICU, Telemetry or the fast-paced Emergency Department, they help ensure a patient-centered, healing environment.

Patients and team members alike count on their reliability, warmth and positive outlook each day.

Role and responsibilities:

Nursing Assistants provide essential patient care under the supervision of Registered Nurses or other licensed healthcare providers. Their responsibilities include:

• Assisting with personal hygiene
• Recording vital signs
• Monitoring and documenting patient conditions and behaviors
• Aiding with mobility
• Ensuring a safe, comfortable environment

In this role, NAs uphold patient care standards in alignment with UHS policies, while continuing to grow their skills, compassion and clinical knowledge.

Displaying our values every day

The Nursing Assistants at UHS truly exemplify Our Values of Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork, and Innovation. 

Lyza Durgala, NA, CVICU, UHS Wilson Medical Center, shared, “Out of all the Values at UHS, Compassion definitely ties into everything that we do every day. You have to be compassionate in your role and just love taking care of others to want to come to work and to really like your job.” Kristal Button, NA, CVICU, UHS Wilson Medical Center, echoed this sentiment, “I’m a very loving and nurturing person”, adding, “Compassion is my favorite.”

Both Lyza and Kristal emphasized the Teamwork they experience each day. Kristal shared, “I love my staff, I love my unit. The nurses are very helpful in the CVICU. We work together as a team, and we have each other’s backs.” She concluded, “Teamwork makes the dreamwork.”

Lyza echoed this sentiment, “Each day, I look forward to coming to work and seeing my coworkers’ smiling faces.” This Teamwork allows her to build meaningful relationships that, in turn, help drive the work she does every day. “It’s a very welcoming atmosphere, and it’s just really empowering to feel like the work you do helps someone else.”

Throughout her experience, she can deliver patient-centered care in a compassionate and respectful environment that defines the UHS patient experience. “We’re all there for each other, and there’s a lot of meaningful moments, especially with it being such a high-stress environment at times.”

Learning and growth opportunities

Nursing Assistants build meaningful connections with team members and patients. Their work empowers them and the support they offer improves the overall patient experience, which is rewarded with a strong sense of purpose and professional pride.

UHS is also committed to supporting professional growth at every stage. Lyza shared how her role has allowed her to expand her skills, “As a Nursing Assistant, you have space to learn and grow. There’s always a way that you can excel in your career and continue to grow in your position.” Lyza became a “skin care champion”, upon completion of wound care classes. This allows her to assist nurses with wound care and provide insight into what a patient may be experiencing.

Regarding the opportunities, Lyza stated, “There’s always room to grow and learn new things — and I just think that’s really empowering in the role itself.”

UHS offers a variety of opportunities for eligible employees to pursue a degree in nursing, earn LPN credentials, or obtain a degree in other allied fields as part of our Education Incentive Programs. This support creates a pathway for advancement and personal development across the organization.

Recognizing excellence: The sunshine program

In 2024, UHS introduced the Sunshine Program, a new program to recognize the extraordinary care and contributions of our non-licensed support staff, offering well-deserved gratitude to our Nursing Assistants.

Designed to "honor nursing support staff who shine a bring light into other’s lives,” the program recognizes the incredible work that our frontline caregivers do every day.

Team members are nominated by patients, families, and colleagues based on their demonstration of UHS Values of Respect, Teamwork, Innovation, Trust, and especially Compassion. While all nominees are recognized, one is selected each month for special recognition.

Why choose UHS?

Lyza provided insight into why she chose UHS as her employer: “I really like UHS as a whole and everything they stand for.”

Kristal added, “It’s a very nice place to work. I have had very good interactions with nurses, doctors, and families. I really enjoy working here.”

Through mentorship, educational opportunities, or on-the-job experience, UHS is committed to helping employees develop professionally. Lyza encourages others to consider a future with UHS. “If you are interested in an opportunity at UHS, you should definitely go for it,” she shared. “There’s always so many opportunities for growth.”

If you’re ready to join a team where your impact truly matters, explore our open roles at https://www.nyuhscareers.org/NursingAssistants/.

Take the next step in your career and help shape the future of healthcare with UHS.