Alison was nominated by a patient who wrote a 10-paged heartfelt letter describing the phenomenal experience he had with Alison and many other hospital employees he came in contact with throughout the day of his cataract surgery. As a 72-year-old man with a background in healthcare, the patient noted that he has worked side-by-side thousands of nurses and Alison is the "tip-of-the-spear" and "the very finest nurse in the world". The patient described details of his child abuse, which caused him to develop a phobia of having his blood drawn or an IV set. When it came time for Alison to set the patient's IV, she sensed his anxiety and called another nurse into the room. The patient became tense and started to cry and explained that he was ashamed of himself. "But what they said, how they said it, and their tones of voices provided acceptance," the patient said. "It was a perfect moment."
Then Alison told the patient about a nurse in the ER who is good with hard sticks and needle phobia. The patient described the IV set as taking 1/10th of a second and everything was done. He went on to praise Alison for his care after surgery and said her manners and social etiquette are "Houston ballet" - a place he and his lady friend go often. Alison then escorted the patient and his lady friend out of the hospital and across the street to their car. "An MSN nurse!" he said with surprise.
Alison is described by her clinical manager as a hardworking team player. If she's not busy with her own patients, she if offering help to co-workers, stocking the unit, and looking for ways to prepare the department for the next day. Alison's sweet smile and positive attitude make her a joy to work with and that she is a wonderful co-worker and friend. Alison's director described her as a selfless nurse with an outgoing personality that immediately comforts patients and makes them feel at ease.
Because of Alison's compassionate and caring efforts, her patients experience a level of care that exemplifies the impact nurses have in creating an environment where patients and families feel at home.