Twenty-three years of service to Española Hospital has earned one nurse statewide recognition.
Brenda Romero, director of nursing services at the hospital, was presented with the Executive Nurse Award Oct. 25 at the Hyatt Tamaya Resort in the Santa Ana Pueblo by the New Mexico Organization of Nurse Executives. Romero was recognized not only for her work as a director but the volunteer work she has done to address drug abuse and domestic violence issues in the Valley.
“She’s always looking at how to improve patient care at Española Hospital,” Hospital Administrator Derrick Yu said. “We’re very proud of the recognition as a hospital.”
This is the first year anyone at the hospital has received the award, Organization Executive Director Pat Boyle said. Romero competed with 15 nurses from throughout the state and was judged in three categories: leadership, positive impact in the practice of nursing in the state and within the professional health care arena and positive impact through volunteering, Boyle said.
Romero grew up in Vadito, the mountain village in Taos County, and graduated from Peñasco High School. Later, she attended Highlands University and earned her nursing degree from Luna Vocational Technical Institute in Las Vegas.
“When I went to college I didn’t know what I wanted to do. My dad started pressuring me to decide on something, because he had heard that a lot of kids go to college and never decide what they want to do,” she said.
With the pressure mounting Romero decided on nursing, she said.
“Fortunately I love it,” she said.
Romero, who now lives in Arroyo Seco, has been a nurse for 25 years. She began her career at Española Hospital in 1985 as a staff nurse then worked her way up to head nurse of the medical-surgical pediatric unit and eventually to director of nursing services, a position she has held since 1992, she said. This year she was given the added responsibility of director of patient care services, she said.
“Having too many things to do at one time is probably the biggest challenge,” Romero said.
Nevertheless, Romero said, she loves working with both patients and employees alike.
“I like working hard to improve the health of the community, by helping individuals and improving on systems and processes,” she said.
Romero is a board member of the Lunch Buddy Program, a member of the Northern New Mexico College and Santa Fe Community College Nursing Department Advisory Boards and served on the Governor’s Drug Prevention Task Force, according to information provided by the Organization.
Despite all her involvement in the community Romero said she was surprised to learn she had won the award.
“I was honored,” she said. “It was unexpected. The people that get nominated for these awards have these very elaborate resumes and a long history of doing a lot of good work.”