As a clinical leader in the PICU, I witness many extraordinary nurses. One I would like to nominate for the DAISY Award is no exception. Ashley has been caring for a very complex transplant patient. The patient is experiencing horrible GVHD, which involves daily dressing changes to her entire body that take a few hours every day. Ashley has given her exceptional care. She changes those dressings with such care and tenderness. She always makes the patient's pain management a priority. She involves her family in the patient's care as much as she can.
The child's mother is out of state most of the time, yet Ashley updates her very regularly so that she is never blindsided with news. This past weekend, our little gal took a turn for the worse. Ashley took time out of her very busy day to sit and talk with dad and help him come to the decision to make his child a DNR. She then had similar discussions over the phone to make sure mom too was informed. She missed all meal breaks this weekend because she wanted the patient to get the care that she deserved. I know that the family was very pleased with her care and rested easier because she was there.
Ashley truly is an exceptional nurse!