Jose Mejia, B.S.N., R.N., night supervisor at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford, figured he would grow up and become a roofer, like his dad.
“He was my hero. But he encouraged me to further my education and strive for more,” Mejia said.
Julie McCasin, M.S.N., R.N., CMSRN, nurse manager, sees the benefits of the work he has put in every day.
“Jose exemplifies effective leadership through his compassion and deep consideration for others. He has a unique talent for engaging with staff during challenging situations and fosters their personal and professional growth.”
Read on to learn more about Mejia, in his words.
How did you ultimately choose to become a nurse?
My favorite subjects in school were the sciences. I was acquainted with a pediatrician who piqued my interest in healthcare. I worked for eight years as a contractor providing immunotherapy services at Texas Health Family Care in southwest Fort Worth, a Texas Health Physicians Group (THPG) practice. The doctors and nurse practitioners were great examples of providers, and that helped me decide to pursue nursing.
Although I was not an employee of Texas Health, I felt I was part of the company, thanks to Alfred Hulse, D.O., and Patrick Conway, D.O., along with everyone else I worked with there.
In 2021, I earned my license as a registered nurse and joined Texas Health HEB.
Describe your job. What is your workday like?
I am night supervisor, and I still work as a charge nurse two nights a week. The other nights, I arrive and catch up on emails. At shift change, I walk the unit, tidying up and observing the bedside shift report, answering call lights till the charge report is complete. The rest of the shift, I support our care teams where needed, working on patient satisfaction, coaching, auditing charts and reminding the team about education, attendance and scheduling.
What is your favorite part of your job, and what is the biggest challenge?
I love helping our care team grow and helping them reach their full potential. My biggest challenge is finding ways to help each individual realize his or her capabilities.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I think people would be surprised to know that I restored my classic ’73 Ford Mustang.
Also, I like to watch British television and British game shows, such as “Travel Man,” “QI” and “Would I Lie to You?”
How do you do your life’s best work at Texas Health?
I love helping patients and their families, making their stay less scary or stressful. I lead with integrity and compassion, striving to inspire and make a difference. I have been afforded the opportunity to grow and display all these things at Texas Health HEB. It has been a great four years.
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