For the past forty years, I have been on the giving end of patient care, but earlier this year the tables were turned and I found myself on the receiving end. Following surgery in June, I spent 22 days on the 6th floor of the new Cardiovascular Unit. The new tower is truly beautiful, but it was the staff that made my stay unforgettable.

Facing surgery is a frightening reality that nearly everyone faces at some time in their lives, but I am happy to say that my personal experience was made so much better because of the care I received. All of my nurses, PCT’s, Respiratory Technicians, Centran and Dietary staff were not only professional and skilled, but most importantly they were caring and compassionate. They kept me informed of my progress, addressed my physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, and were never too busy to answer my questions, anytime day or night. I know that they truly cared about me and my well-being and my wish would be to give all the nurses on HV6 a DAISY Award.

There was one nurse in particular that was assigned to me early on in my stay when my fear factor was at a 10 and I was feeling particularly vulnerable. The first night that I met Crystal Cooper, my epidural catheter had worked itself out prematurely and I was concerned about the escalating pain. She quickly assessed the situation and told me her recommended plan. She called the doctor and followed through with her plan, keeping me informed along the way. She checked on me every hour that night and I cannot tell you how much it meant to me. She made me feel safe and cared for. After that night, she was assigned to me every night she worked. I always knew that when she was my nurse, it was going to be a good night. Crystal has all the attributes you look for when honoring someone with the DAISY Award.

I feel that by honoring Crystal Cooper RN, we would be honoring all the nurses on HV6.