Mother-Daughter Duo Make Working at Backus a Family Affair
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree for an inspiring mother-daughter nurse duo at Backus Hospital.
“I enjoy working with the community, and love working in the same hospital as my mom. Being able to share the same passion is something that has made us grow closer,” says Emily Arico, RN, of the Critical Care Unit.
Working in healthcare was an early calling for both Emily and her mother, Vicky Arico.
“When I was 12, I knew I wanted to be a nurse. I grew up caring for my grandmother. The things we did back then were very different,” says Vicky Arico, RN, who works on A-3. “It helped shape me into the nurse I am today.”
Emily followed in her footsteps, becoming a nurse in 2019 at Backus, where Vicky has worked for more than four decades.
“My mother is definitely my role model. I loved hearing her stories growing up and getting to see her passion and enjoyment each and every day. I wanted to make that big of a difference,” she says.
Typically, their paths don’t cross at work, but sometimes patients remind them they are closer than they realize.
“I had a woman on A-3 and Emily had her husband on the CCU. The wife wanted to FaceTime and asked me to help. While talking, they both shared how great their nurses were!” Vicky says. “The wife told him my name and he said his nurse was Emily. Then, we got on FaceTime and said hi.”
Emily adds, “Patients love her, coworkers enjoy working with her and she’s always willing to help someone else.”
Months after Emily joined Backus, COVID-19 swept the globe, pushing healthcare workers to the brink. “It was something none of us have ever experienced. It was a time we were both grateful to work under the same roof,” Vicky says. Emily agrees.
“We help one another through difficult times. I call her every night to talk about our day, experiences and what we’ve learned.” After two years working under the same roof, the Aricos was honored with DAISY Awards, international recognition honoring the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide.
Colleagues nominating Emily wrote, “(She) is committed to providing the best care for her patients and always appears positive.” She gives them hope for the future of nursing, they added.
A patient wrote that Vicky made her feel safe and comfortable, saying, “I never felt alone in the hospital.” She added that Vicky’s love for her patients is undeniable.
“Receiving this honor is an amazing accomplishment and the fact that I get to share it with my mother and role model is something I will always cherish,” Emily notes.