In January 2016, I delivered triplet girls at 29 weeks gestation. Amanda was the first nurse I met and as a new mom to 3 babies on the ventilator, you can imagine my nervous energy. Amanda knew I was an ICU nurse here at WakeMed but she never treated me as such. She treated me as a mom who was terrified and "didn't know anything about babies". As the months, yes months, went on I developed a bond with her like I never thought possible. As an ICU nurse myself, I am no stranger to the machines, pumps, monitors, and tragedy that occurs daily. She supported me and my husband every step of the way. So many nurses touched our lives during that time but Amanda changed me as a nurse. She showed me a compassion and patience that I wanted to show my patient's families. She allowed me to see how important involving families in patient care, really is. She made me feel like my voice mattered, that my presence mattered and her love for my children felt genuine.
The reason I feel like Amanda deserves this award is because her passion for her job and her patients sparked a fire in me to be that nurse for my patients and families. I now understand the need and embrace the family centered model at WakeMed as a whole. I'm a better nurse because of her and my goal is to continue the model of example that she has set. She is the Wake Way in every aspect.
Thank you, Amanda, for being an incredible example and for setting the standard in nursing so high.