Nurses are known for being super moms, taking care of their children while treating patients like they are members of their own families. In what could be described as a homegrown movement for attracting quality nurses, more than two dozen registered nurses at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island have inspired their daughters to become nurses. Members of these close-knit family nursing teams celebrated the culmination of National Nurses Week with a pre-Mother’s Day brunch at the hospital.

“Like mother, like daughter. It’s amazing to see how many of these moms have inspired their children to become nurses and to see them providing the same high level of care and compassion at the same hospital with a laudable equal commitment to providing excellence in patient care,” says Valerie T. Terzano, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, vice president for nursing and patient care, who has seen generations of nurses during her 42 years at the hospital.

The hospital has consistently earned Magnet® designation, the highest national recognition for excellence in nursing care. It prides itself on creating a collaborative environment where nurses can share their ideas for enhancing patient care while working in an intellectually stimulating academic environment.

For neonatal nurse Carolyn Certa and her three daughters, it has truly been a family affair. Her oldest daughter Kaitlyn is an emergency department nurse and her middle daughter Andrea is a nurse in the neurology division. Carolyn’s youngest daughter Victoria is a nursing extern at the hospital while she finishes nursing school. Her mom says teachers have told her that her soon-to-be graduate has all the makings for being a nursing leader.

“My daughters and son were all born at this hospital. I have always loved being a nurse. When I would come home from work, I would tell them how much I love nursing and helping people,” says Carolyn, who is proud of making such a positive impression of her profession on her three daughters.

“I originally wanted to work at this hospital because of everything my mom told me about it. I had high expectations, and after seeing how the nurses work together here, my expectations were reached,” says Victoria, who has done rotations at two other hospitals, and says, “they didn’t have the same standards.”

National Nurses Week ends on May 12 this year—Mother’s Day and the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

Media Inquiries

Rosemary Gomez
Office: 516-663-2709
Cell: 516-402-4260
Rosemary.Gomez@NYULangone.org