Maria “Tessa” Lim has long had a spark, a drive and a hope that anything can be achieved with the right motivation and care. Working in business was the original plan, but the call to nursing rang loud and clear.
As a nurse supervisor in Genitourinary and Bariatric Services at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Lim, M.S.N., R.N., SCRN, loves using her creativity to help the team.
“Working alongside Tessa is inspiring,” said Nikita Preston, B.S.N., R.N., nurse manager in Genitourinary and Bariatric Services at Texas Health Dallas. “Her work ethic, coupled with her passion for patient-centered care and fun, make her an invaluable member of our department and a trusted leader within our hospital.”
Hear more about Lim’s story, in her own words.
What did you want to be as a kid, and how did you choose your career?
When I was a child, I wanted to be like my mom and dreamed of owning my own business someday. When it came time to choose courses for college, nursing was very popular in the Philippines, where I’m from, and viewed as the American dream. With my mom’s guidance and encouragement, I chose nursing. That decision became a foundation for not only my career but meaningful relationships and opportunities.
What does a typical workday look like?
I like to arrive at work very early and start my day by creating a to-do list. On Mondays, I plan for tasks for the entire week. I begin by rounding on the unit, followed by leading the unit huddle and checking in with the care team members and patients. Throughout the day, I balance completing my task list with supporting team needs. My responsibilities include audits, scheduling, timekeeping, onboarding, education and other duties as needed.
What’s your favorite part of your job, and what’s the biggest challenge?
One of the biggest challenges I face as a leader is implementing change. Whether it’s related to workflow, practice improvements or engaging team members with employee initiatives, gaining buy-in can be challenging. However, it’s an important part of driving growth and improvement with the team.
My favorite part of my role is being able to use my creativity to develop and implement educational programs, events or practice changes that support and motivate teams.
I especially enjoy finding innovative ways to boost morale and make learning engaging by using gamification in several education initiatives, with positive results.
Additionally, through the Culture & Connection team, I have been able to highlight my creativity by promoting Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month through a fashion show and other activities that foster engagement and team connection.
What’s something most people might not know about you?
When I was younger, I owned a small business selling bags and watches. The experience enabled me to explore my entrepreneurial interests and pursue the career path I initially envisioned in healthcare. Running a business taught me valuable skills in leadership, time management, customer service and adaptability, which continue to influence how I lead today.
What are some of the ways you strive to serve patients and employees?
In our unit, we consistently strive for excellence through a shared practice of leading with love. This theme was created by our leadership team as part of our initiative to promote both a positive patient experience and strong employee engagement.
Leading with love means approaching our work with compassion, purpose and genuine care for our patients, colleagues and the work we do every day. Through this initiative, we have seen meaningful improvements in our unit culture as well as positive trends in our Net Promoter Score®. This reinforces the impact of leading with empathy, connection and accountability.
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