Gracie Araiza, B.S.N., R.N., a nursing supervisor, has been at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital for 31 of her 32 years as a nurse.
“I have the greatest respect for Gracie,” said Mike Bratton, MBA, R.N., CMSRN, nurse manager, ortho/neuro, surgical medical surgical, medical surgery units. “She has the highest integrity, promoting transparent communication and a positive, fair environment. Dependable and approachable, Gracie’s leadership helps our organization strive toward and achieve excellence. She is an outstanding supervisor and a good friend.”
A nursing supervisor in the same units, Araiza had a personal reason for choosing nursing as her career.
Read more about her, in her own words:
What did you want to be as a kid, and how did you ultimately choose healthcare?
I was around 8 years old when my mom was in the hospital for second- and third-degree burns. I stayed with her and I saw how much care and compassion she was receiving from the nurses during her hospital stay. This is when I decided to be a nurse. I wanted to be like them and offer the same care and compassion to my patients.
Describe your job. What is your workday like?
As day shift supervisor, my workday is never the same. I work two days as a charge nurse and two days in the office. Working on the floor is nonstop, especially when we need beds for our incoming ortho/neuro surgical patients, Emergency Department and/or transfer patients. I work alongside the surgeons, hospitalists, case workers and therapists to make sure our patients are ready for discharge.
When I’m working as charge nurse, I also do leader rounds for the ortho/neuro floor, but on my office days I do leader rounding on all three floors and do chart reviews and chart audits. During my office days, I also work in UKG Workforce Management (WFM), doing attendance, payroll and scheduling.
What is your favorite part of your job, and what is the biggest challenge?
I like that I am still able to do some patient care when I’m working as a charge nurse. This is what I miss the most as a supervisor. My biggest challenge is stopping at the end of my day when I am working in the office – sometimes I find it hard to stop working.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I am very private, but one thing I will share is my nickname, “Tortuga” (turtle in Spanish). When I was growing up, my brothers and sisters would say I was always slow at everything I did, so they called me Tortuga. I didn’t think I was slow; I just wanted things to be perfect. I still do.
How do you do your life’s best work at Texas Health?
I am available to help anyone who needs my assistance, and I display Our Texas Health Promise Behaviors with everyone.
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