‘Mother Goose’ leads holiday event, supports patients and colleagues

For more than 20 years, acute care nurse Kristin Bisceglia-Smith has led a holiday in-service for colleagues on the surgical unit at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital.

There are charades, prizes for best costumes, catered food, music and guest speakers. It’s held off-site, annually, with three events to ensure staff on any shift can attend.

The presenter this November spoke on positive affirmations: “Appreciating each other. Appreciating ourselves – the importance of having down time,” Bisceglia-Smith said, adding that participants practiced grounding themselves. “She actually made us take off our socks and stand in the grass.”

On the surgical unit, Bisceglia-Smith is known for making people feel appreciated year-round.

“Kristin is the person on our unit who makes sure significant events in employees’ lives, such as births and surgeries, are recognized,” said Heather Roth, nurse manager.

“Kristin has also written the most Recognizing You nominations on our unit to her peers and other staff outside of our surgical team. She is always looking for ways to make others feel valued, including giving self-care baskets during the holidays to staff working in the emergency department and lab.”

About seven years ago, Bisceglia-Smith started a clothing closet to make sure patients have something to wear when they go home. She’s spent thousands of dollars on Black Fridays to keep the closet well-stocked.

“People need clothes,” she said. “And shoes. I ask staff to contribute if they have things they don’t want or use – to bring them here.”

Bisceglia-Smith has been a nurse on the surgical unit for 23 years. Her first job at PVH was in the kitchen, where she worked a few days per week in high school. She returned after becoming a nurse.

“I love it here. I’ve been at PVH for 32 years,” she said. “I work with some of my closest friends.”

She also runs the surgical unit’s gift fund, with contributions from staff to buy flowers or gifts for major life events. And when it’s time to apply for big awards, she makes sure colleagues are nominated.

“They call me ‘Mother Goose’ sometimes,” Bisceglia-Smith said, adding that she’s the longest-serving nurse on the unit. “I check in with people. They call me with problems.”

Roth said she works tirelessly to support her team, and her loyalty shines through in everything she does.

“I’ve gotten far more than I could ever give by working here,” Bisceglia-Smith said. “Teammates, relationships. What I’ve learned. It’s made me a better person, parent and friend.”