For most people, working in a trauma unit would be daunting. But not for Alexandria Alexander, a registered nurse in Delray Medical Center’s trauma/intensive care unit who was recently named a Nurse of the Year at the Palm Health Foundation’s Heart of Gold Nursing Reception.
“The stress level may be very high because you get the unexpected,” says Alexander, 46. “But if you have a strong team the way we do, it’s like family. I just like the atmosphere we have.”
When the Lake Worth resident joined the trauma unit in 2005, she already had a degree in respiratory therapy. Her exceptional performance and volunteer work prompted her supervisor, Sari Viitaniemi, to nominate her for Nurse of the Year.
“Everyone in the unit knows that it’s going to be a good day when Alex is on duty,” Viitaniemi says. “She is very strong and very humble – really ‘a servant nurse.’ She has high standards, is kind and compassionate and a team player. Even if Alex is not in charge of the team, she will always be there when someone needs her, even if they don’t ask.”
Working efficiently under pressure comes naturally to Alexander. Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, she was raised in a military family. In 1983, she moved to Florida with her family when her father, Robert Alexander Jr., an aviation mechanic, was transferred to the Homestead Air Force Base.
After graduating from Homestead Senior High, Alexander earned her degree at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee. She also joined the Army Reserve after high school and, when her unit closed in 1992, she transferred to the National Guard, where she performed physicals and immunizations for soldiers being deployed overseas.
When not on duty, Alexander spends as much time as possible with her 15-year-old daughter, Kierstin. Yet she still finds time to participate in special projects for Delray Medical Center and volunteer for injury prevention programs like helmet fittings for motorcycle and bike riders.
“Many hospitals put on conferences about this,” Alexander says. “It requires constant education.”
Alexander is clearly a lifelong learner: In the future, she’d like to earn a master’s in public education. O