June 2, 2014 –Lauraann Nicoletto RN has joined the staff of Stony Brook University Hospital as the Nurse Manager of the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP). “We are delighted to have someone with Ms. Nicoletto’s experience and enthusiasm in this vital position,” said Department Chair, Ramin Parsey, MD, PhD.
Ms. Nicoletto comes to Stony Brook with a broad background in psychiatric nursing. She has worked in child and adolescent inpatient units, adult outpatient services and psychiatric consultation to outpatient medical clinics. For the past three years she worked in a methadone maintenance program. Her love for psychiatric nursing dates back to her experience as a graduate nurse at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan. “I always liked psychiatry,” Ms. Nicoletto said. “I have a close relative who has a mental illness and I saw first-hand how helpful psychiatry can be. Besides, I always felt completely comfortable in the psychiatric services.”
When asked about her new role as Nurse Manager of CPEP, Ms. Nicoletto’s first response was to describe herself as an advocate for patients and the nursing staff. She is also responsible for recruiting and managing the nursing staff in CPEP. “My job as a nurse manager is to support our nurses in their role,” she said, “and to act as a resource to them.” In addition to acting as liaison to the other disciplines in CPEP and to the other departments in the hospital, Ms. Nicoletto hopes to create a safe environment for patients and a supportive experience for their families by serving as a positive role model. “The bottom line,” she said, “is to take care of patients; to keep them safe.”