Photos by Ralph Freso / GCU News
One day, Grand Canyon University nursing student Alyssa Parinas was just “doing her job.” At HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center, Norterra Phoenix, she was making rounds with her nursing supervisor when a patient needed a little extra care.
“I didn't see myself doing anything special,” Parinas said. “I guess, to her, it made an impact. She was really grateful for me and my (supervising) nurse."
That “thank you” set the wheels in motion, and Parinas found herself the recipient of a national DAISY Award from the DAISY Foundation. The Washington state-based organization honors nurses nominated for excellence in clinical care. Nominations come from patients, their families or organizations. Parinas’ award was patient-driven.
Dr. Tristan Palmer, director of clinical operations for the bachelor of science in nursing program, said Parinas showed exceptional nursing skills and professionalism in the work she did, and she truly made an impact on her patient.
"We are very impressed that one of our GCU nursing students received the DAISY Award," Palmer said.
Parinas said she views nursing as more than a career; for her, it’s a calling that carries a family tradition.
“I always knew I wanted to go into the medical field,” Parinas said. “I came from a family with a medical background, like pharmacy, radiology. My brother is a nurse. So, I always knew I wanted to go into the health care system. I like the idea of being able to be a hands-on type of human connection and giving that aspect of care.”
She didn't know what she wanted to do exactly until she started looking at colleges. Parinas thought about following her sister into radiology. She liked that the role involved meeting and interacting with people, and being the calming voice if patients are nervous about the equipment. Ultimately, she decided to follow her brother into nursing. Since starting at GCU, she decided she wanted to serve in the intensive care unit.
“I really like the patient connection that you get to make in the ICU because it's usually one-on-one or one-on-two,” she said. “It gives you a lot of time to get to know your patient because you really do have to know everything about them when you're in the ICU. So, I think that's really special because it's more individualized care that you're able to give.”
The human connection is what called her to nursing – something that can get lost in the process, she said. Nursing is more of a way to give back to people by helping them heal.
“I think that kind of contact connects back to my faith and growing up listening to God's word," Parinas said. “(My faith) showed me that you should be more intentional with what you do, and making that human connection is so much more important than is usually perceived.”
To see the good in people. That can definitely be hard to do when you're going into a career where you see a lot of emotions and a lot of sides of people.
Alyssa Parinas, GCU nursing student
The San Diego native grew up attending religious schools, which she believes helped shape the kind of person she wanted to be.
“It instilled a deeper compassion and instilled a passion for me to want to help others,” she said. “And to see the good in people. That can definitely be hard to do when you're going into a career where you see a lot of emotions and a lot of sides of people. (It’s) especially (true when seeing) the hurting sides, where I know a lot of emotions come into play.”
Her compassion and commitment to the calling give her a focused perspective on what nursing means: Being there for the person in need. She sees “patients” not as entities but as the people in need of her help.
“Looking at it as, ‘How can I be there for this person?’” she said. “In this situation, what would Jesus do?”
She plans to return to San Diego after earning her GCU nursing degree next semester. She’ll take her calling with her.
“How can I be the light in somebody’s day?” she asks.
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