The History of the Nurses Honor Guard

The Nurses Honor Guard began in 2003 by the Kansas State Nurses Association. For a long time it was a service not offered anywhere else. Gradually nurses began to see this at conferences they attended and a handful of groups started around the country.

In 2011 one of those nurses attended a conference in Detroit, Michigan and brought the concept back to her Professional Practice group in Lansing, Michigan. Julia Godby Murray saw her presentation and decided she needed to take this to nurses all over the country. She slowly began reaching out to groups through social media and at this point has helped organize over 250 groups get their start.

When Covid surfaced, many groups had to pause for a time as funeral attendance was being limited. She encouraged groups to video the service and have it shown at funerals they were not able to attend.  At this time the groups are back to in person attendance and new groups are forming at a rapid rate.

Nurses have been able to bring back the dignity and respect for their profession that has been much needed and the service they provide helps families heal after the loss of their loved one. As nurses are natural healers this just adds another opportunity to continue doing what they love to do and that is to heal.

The Richmond County Nurses Honor Guard, Inc. was established in December 2023. Several nurses working at Staten Island University Hospital in the Nursing Education and Clinical Professional Development department saw this need not being met and formed a planning committee. We were offered guidance from Julia Godby Murray. We were able to receive support from several small businesses and professionals in our community.

With that support, we were able to form a not-for-profit 501(C)3 corporation.  We had our first membership drive late February and now have just over 40 members.

Carolyn Dixon
DNP, MS, RN, FNP-BC, CEN, TCRN

Carolyn is the ED nurse educator at SIUH. Having been a nurse for almost 29 years, Carolyn also has extensive experience in critical care and nursing management.  Carolyn has also been an adjunct at Wagner College for the last twelve years.  Carolyn is also actively involved with The Emergency Nurses’ Association and is a member of their Clinical Practice Guidelines development committee.  Carolyn is also currently a director at large for the New York State Emergency Nurses’ Association.

It was at The Emergency Nurses’ Association conference in 2023 during a presentation by the San Diego Nurses Honor Guard when Carolyn realized that we needed to form a similar organization in Staten Island to honor our colleagues as well.

Denise Natalini-Olsen
MSN, RN, CCRN, CPAN

Denise Natalini-Olsen has been a nurse for 35 years and has worked at SIUH for most of that time. She obtained her Master’s degree in Nursing Education in 1995. She has worked in med-surg, critical care, and in PACU. She is currently the peri-anesthesia educator at SIUH. Denise is also employed as an adjunct nursing instructor at Wagner College and the College of Staten Island. She holds dual certification of CCRN (critical care rn as well as CPAN (certified peri anesthesia RN).

Denise is excited and thrilled to be part of the planning committee of the Richmond County Nurses Honor Guard, in her hometown of Staten Island, NY. When she was presented with the idea of forming the group, she did not hesitate to join and become an active member. She feels that nurses deserve recognition for a life of nurturing and caring for all. She also feels that the ceremony is a driving force behind her passion of becoming a member. Ms. Natalini-Olsen states that the ceremony is both touching and moving, as it provides a sincere farewell to her fellow nurses. She feels the Nurses Honor Guard is an important addition to the entire nursing profession.

Virginia Tiralosi
MSN, APRN, FNP

Virginia is the clinical professional development educator at Staten Island University Hospital. She has been a nurse for 26 years. Virginia has worked in the neonatal ICU and pediatrics at Staten Island University Hospital for 21 years. She received her Master’s degree and Family Nurse Practitioner Degree from Wagner College. She has been the clinical professional development educator for neonatal ICU and pediatrics since 2021.

Virginia heard of the Nurse Honor Guard from her colleagues and immediately thought what an amazing honor! Nurses take care of others their entire careers. What better way to honor our colleagues than to assist with this beautiful tribute.

Teresa Torsney
MS, RN, NPD-BC

Teri has been a nurse for over 45 years. She started as a Candy Striper in the old Richmond Memorial Hospital, now known as Staten Island University Hospital Princess Bay – Northwell Health. Teri graduated from St. Vincent’s Medical Center of Richmond, School of Nursing with a diploma and went on to earn her BS and MS in Nursing Education at Wagner College. Her nursing experience is extensive, covering many specialties, including the past 20 years, as a staff development instructor, obtaining her certification in professional development. Teri recently retired after working at Staten Island University Hospital -Northwell Health for over 43 years.

Teri became aware of the Nightingale Tribute years ago and actually performed this tribute privately for a few colleagues. She looks forward to formerly continuing this beautiful tradition as part of the Richmond County Nurses Honor Guard.

Gina Varriale
MS, RN-BC

Gina Varriale has been a nurse for 19 years at Staten Island University Hospital. Gina has a master’s degree in nursing education. She is also a clinical adjunct professor at Wagner College. She has worked in education for 15 years and professional development for 5 years. Gina is also the site coordinator for the residency program at SIUH since its inception. Gina earned her master’s degree in nursing at Wagner College and is certified in medical surgical nursing.

Getting involved in the planning of the Richmond County Nurses Honor Guard has been a privilege. This is nurses honoring nurses. We need more avenues to celebrate nurses and their commitment to helping others. We do not always get recognized for what we do but this ceremony can help make the sacrifice, the long hours, the emotional toll lighter.

Donna Williams
MSN, RN

Donna Williams has been a registered nurse for 31 years at Staten Island University Hospital. She has a Master’s degree in nursing education. During her career, she has worked in med-surg, oncology, maternity, out-patient internal medicine and out-patient pediatrics. Donna was also a clinical adjunt professor at the College of Staten Island. She currenty works as a nurse educator in Professional Development at SIUH.

Williams first saw a Nightingale tribute online in late 2019. It was so moving she immediately thought we should have that in Staten Island. Nurses spend their lives in service to others, this tribute honors their dedication to the profession. Sidetracked by covid for awhile, the thought came to fruition in December 2023 with the forming of the Richmond County Nurses Honor Guard.