Nursing Excellence
Nursing Excellence
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center is proud of our nationally certified nurses for the diligence they show in furthering their specialized training. This advanced knowledge and expertise allows us to raise our standards and provide the highest quality of patient care.
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance is also proud to be Magnet recognized, the nation’s highest recognition for nursing excellence. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program recognized the hospital’s nursing team for exemplary patient care, nursing practice collaboration, patient outcomes and nursing research.
A Message From Our Chief Nursing Officer
Ever since I joined the compassionate team at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in 2021 and humbly stepping into the role of Chief Nursing Officer in March 2024, I have been continuously inspired by our nursing teams’ unwavering passion and dedication. Their commitment truly elevates our ministry, making it a beacon of excellence for our patients.
I am deeply proud of our nurses' devotion to their profession and their vital contributions to patient care and their families, as well as their service to the broader community. It’s also heartening to see the recognition and progress we have achieved together. Our journey includes transitioning freshly graduated nurses into practice or guiding experienced nurses into new areas of practice as they explore and seek new challenges. Our partnerships with educational institutions have been instrumental in bridging the nursing shortage gap while nurturing the future nursing workforce. The efforts of helping nurses master both the art and science of nursing is every single nurse’s responsibility to continue to shape our profession. Our nurses' commitment to lifelong learning, whether it’s pursuing degrees or certifications, significantly enhances the care we provide and enriches our work environment.
Our active participation in community outreach through walks and fundraisers raises awareness about various health issues and highlights our commitment to better healthcare. As a twice-designated Magnet® organization, our Professional Governance and Shared Decision-Making structure consistently leads evidence-based practice changes, enhancing patient outcomes. Our nurses honorably live out our mission by sharing their innovative practices and research at conferences, contributing to improved health worldwide.
Our strength doesn’t just come from clinical expertise; it's also the heartwarming compassion and the nurturing culture we uphold every day. Our nurses' remarkable care does not go unnoticed—they are frequently celebrated as Daisy Award recipients, Values in Action nominees, or honored for Excellence in Nursing. We often hear touching stories about how our nursing team goes above and beyond to comfort and support patients and their families during their most vulnerable times, whether through Honor Walks, memory stones, 3-Wishes, or simply by holding a hand or sharing a tear.
It is with deep gratitude and immense respect that I honor our nurses for the heartfelt dedication they bring to their roles every day. I feel incredibly privileged to lead such extraordinary nursing professionals in our mission. Your hard work does not go unnoticed, and together, we continue to make a profound difference in the lives of those we serve.
Candice E. Washilewski, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Chief Nursing Officer
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance is proud to be Magnet® recognized, the nation’s highest recognition for nursing excellence. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® recognized the hospital’s nursing team for exemplary patient care, nursing practice collaboration, patient outcomes and nursing research.
The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes health care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. Consumers rely on Magnet designation as the ultimate credential for high quality nursing. Developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Magnet is the leading source of successful nursing practices and strategies worldwide. Read more about ANCC Magnet Recognition.
The DAISY Award is a prestigious recognition given to extraordinary nurses who demonstrate compassion, skill, and dedication in their care. It celebrates the profound impact nurses have on patients and families, honoring those who go above and beyond in their profession.
Please share your story and recognize a nurse who demonstrated excellence through their clinical expertise and extraordinary compassionate care.
View our past recipients of the DAISY award:
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance Professional Practice Model
Our Professional Practice Model is grounded in two complementary nursing theories, Jean Watson’s “Philosophy of Nursing,” based on her theory of human caring, and Patricia Benner’s novice-to-expert theory, based on her book “From Novice to Expert: Excellence and Power in Clinical Nursing Practice.” The PPM depicts how nurses grow into nursing practice and how they communicate and relate to patients, families, communities and the interdisciplinary team.
Shared Leadership and Empowerment
We see leadership as a shared endeavor between our leadership teams and clinical nurses. It is designed to maximize professionalism in nursing practice.
Quality, Safety and Excellence in Nursing Care
Nurses promote quality and safety in nursing care. They take accountability for high-quality outcomes.
Professional Development Advancement
We promote opportunities for nurses to grow into the professional nursing role with collaboration and competence. We encourage and reward their participation in academic progression, national certification and ongoing continuing education programs.
Interprofessional Collaboration
Within this context, collaboration is a necessary component to professional growth. Team members bring valuable expert resources to the care of patients and families.
Evidence-Based Practice
By using the systematic study of actions and phenomenon relative to the practice of nursing, we can greatly enhance nursing practice and patient care outcomes.
The Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care defines this type of care as “an approach to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of health care that is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among health care providers, patients, and families.” At Providence, we recognize that when we care for a patient, our care extends to and must be sensitive to the patient’s family.
Our Focus
As nurses at Providence our focus is on the physical, environmental, psychospiritual and socio-cultural comfort of our patients and their families. Nursing care is the science of caring based on interpersonal relationships. Nursing caring is complementary to medical curing. Nursing care is aimed at providing faith and hope. It also is projected to bring the patient to a state of his or her own potential, not as he or she currently presents. The vision at Providence Health & Services, Know Me, Care for Me, Ease My Way, expresses the caring and interpersonal nursing care we promote and deliver within the Providence Southern California region.Providence Little Company of Mary nurses are committed and passionate about giving back to their community. With our mission to care for the poor and the vulnerable at the forefront of everything we do, we have participated in, help organize and lead community walks, attended health fairs, and providing resources to those who need it.
- American Cancer Society – Relay for Life
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Out of the Darkness Walk
- American Heart Association – Heart Walk
- American Parkinson Disease Association – Optimism Walk
- SKECHERS – Tour De Pier
- SKECHERS – Friendship Walk
- March of Dimes – March for Babies LA
- Providence TrinityCare Hospice – Layla’s Nature Walk
- Palos Verdes Chamber – Street Fair
American Cancer Society – Relay for Life
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Out of the Darkness Walk
American Heart Association – Heart Walk
American Parkinson Disease Association – Optimism Walk
SKECHERS – Tour De Pier
SKECHERS – Friendship Walk
March of Dimes – March for Babies LA
Providence TrinityCare Hospice – Layla’s Nature Walk
Palos Verdes Chamber – Street Fair
Check out our Professional Governance retreat! This event brought together all Professional Governance nursing members, Nurse leadership, Quality and Patient Experience partners to review nursing and organizational strategic plans, evaluate quality, patient experience, BSN and certification data to determined goals for the upcoming year.
The 2025 retreat was a fun and rewarding experience facilitated by Candice Washilewski, Chief Nursing Officer and Geri Harmon, Sr. Director of Education and Magnet. All members were recognized with “Strong Alone, Unstoppable Together” sweatshirts, emphasizing the “We” attitude needed to strive for our 3rd Magnet Re-designation of Nursing Excellence. The hospital looks forward to submitting the documents to the American Nurses Credentialing Center by October 1, 2025.
Four Medical Cardiology and four West Medical new grads shine as they present their final Evidence-Based Practice projects—future nurse leaders in action!
Celebrating the “Married State” model with good food and great minds—preceptors building strong foundations.
Progressive Care Unit nurses celebrate academic achievements—where clinical excellence meets scholarly success.
Beyond teaching, our Nursing Professional Development Practitioners and Specialists are lifelong learners—leading with knowledge and heart.
Float Pool new grads wrap up their journey with powerful poster presentations—Evidence-Based Practice in motion!
From themed treats to team spirit, our nurses go all out to celebrate Hospital Week—because caring deserves a party!
Progressive Care Unit RNs celebrate mastering patient communication techniques—because every word matters.
Preceptors stand out in branded tees—visible, valuable, and vital to nurse development.
Telemetry Oncology nurses embrace cutting-edge medication management tools—smart tech for safer care.
We’re proud to honor our nurses who’ve earned specialty certifications—expert care, every step of the way!
Our Nursing Professional Development Practitioners and Specialists know how to deck the halls and inspire minds — Christmas cheer meets clinical excellence!
