When Fily Moya arrived for clinicals at Valley Regional Medical Center, she expected another day of learning at the bedside.
Instead, the longtime licensed vocational nurse and current registered nursing student was recognized for a moment that reflected both her years of experience and the nurse she is working to become.
Moya, an LVN of 11 years, recently received the DAISY Award and Valley Regional’s first HCA Flower Bud Award, honors that recognize nursing students for compassion, professionalism and promise in clinical practice.
The recognition followed an incident during a clinical rotation when Moya encountered a patient in respiratory distress. The patient was not part of her assignment, but when Moya heard concern from a family member and saw a nurse aide seeking help, she immediately responded.
“I wasn’t just going to walk by,” Moya said.
Moya assessed the patient, recognized the signs of respiratory distress and helped coordinate an immediate response. She asked for vital signs, oxygen and additional support while keeping the patient’s safety at the center of the moment. When the rapid response team arrived, Moya remained involved, sharing what she had observed and assisting as the care team worked to stabilize the patient.
In an emergency, she said, hesitation is not an option.
“You just act,” Moya said. “There’s no time to hesitate because that’s the patient’s life in your hands.”
After the patient was stabilized and the care team had the situation under control, Moya stepped away. The experience later became the basis for her award nomination.
For Moya, the recognition carried special meaning. She is balancing the demands of nursing school while working full time as an LVN and caring for her family as a wife and mother to a three-year-old daughter.
“It reiterated why I wanted to continue my education,” she said. “Why this means so much to me to push forward.”
Moya’s path to nursing began in high school, when she participated in a medical technology program. No one in her family worked in nursing, but she was drawn to the pace, complexity and purpose of health care.
She said nursing appealed to her because of its constant opportunity to learn and grow, as well as the impact nurses can have on patients and families during some of their most vulnerable moments.
“You’re not only impacting that one person,” Moya said. “You impact the patient, their family and the rest of their life.”
That purpose has helped sustain her through the challenges of returning to school. Some weeks, Moya said, include more than 70 hours of work, school and clinical commitments, in addition to studying and family responsibilities.
Her daughter has become one of her biggest motivators. When the 3-year-old sees her studying, she asks, “Mommy, you’re reading?”
For Moya, the question is a reminder that her daughter is watching her perseverance.
“She sees me working and doing these things,” Moya said. “It’s an example to her to continue to push forward.”
As she nears completion of her RN program, Moya said she is interested in fast-paced areas of nursing, including surgery and emergency care. She is drawn to environments that require quick thinking, teamwork and the ability to respond to changing situations.
More than any specific specialty, however, Moya said she wants to be known as a nurse whom patients, physicians and colleagues can trust.
“I want my patients to know they’re safe with me,” she said.
She also hopes to support future nurses and students as they build confidence in their own skills.
“We’re just as strong as the team around us,” Moya said. “We need everybody.”
The DAISY Award recognizes nursing students who exemplify exceptional compassion and patient-centered care. The HCA Flower Bud Award honors students who demonstrate outstanding growth, professionalism and promise in clinical practice.
Students may be nominated by HCA Healthcare nurses and colleagues, faculty, educators or fellow students during their practicum. For Moya, the recognition is both an honor and an affirmation.
“This is definitely what I’m meant to do,” she said.