Many of Harrison’s nurses agree that Donna Lu consistently represents excellence, not only in her clinical expertise, but her commitment to excellence in nursing practice and patient care.

Donna Lu is known and recognized by many as a natural teacher, and many have had the pleasure of attending one of the various classes she offers. She has equipped not only a multitude of nurses, but a community, to save lives by teaching both BLS and ACLS. Her 12-lead EKG class, Basic and Advanced EKG classes have been widely attended at Harrison. In addition, Donna Lu has been contracted to provide education and outreach in other communities, impacting patient care and quality patient outcomes throughout Kitsap, Mason, and Jefferson Counties.

She serves as a preceptor to many student nurses as well as new staff nurses learning the rigors of working in the ICU. She has taken the time to help many learn the skills they need to be successful in their practice. She also takes the time to explain everything to her patients and their families, and answer all their questions. Donna Lu believes that forming relationships with her patients and families is paramount.

In her role as charge nurse in the ICU, she consistently serves as not only a resource to her fellow staff, but as a clinical expert. She responds to RRT’s and supports the bedside nurse in implementing the appropriate care for medically unstable and vulnerable patients. She is truly a patient advocate, putting patients first and encouraging others to do the same. Her standard of care is exceptionally high. She is an expert nurse who has an intuitive grasp of situations and is proficient at passing on her knowledge to others.

Donna Lu encourages professional development by generating enthusiasm and energy toward meeting nursing challenges not only in the ICU, but all of Harrison Medical Center. She has been essential in the creation of many protocols and policies regarding some the most complex life saving equipment and procedures. She invested her personal time, energy, and financial resources to pioneer care for post-cardiac arrest patients. Donna Lu partnered with the community Cardiologists and developed the original protocol for the life-saving Induced Hypothermia treatment. Donna Lu was also vital in the research and implementation of the evidence-based practice related to the use/care of lumbar subarachnoid drains. She identified a physician champion, and with the assistance of Dr. Berni, created the policy and procedure for the care of the patients. She is an innovator, continuously learning and teaching to assure the best care is being provided to some of Harrison’s most complex and high acuity patients. Our superior outcomes in these low volume/high risk scenarios are due to her excellent collaboration with our physician partners and her ability to equip her team members for success. She has also spearheaded and collaborated with many disciplines on Harrison’s “Family Presence” during a code and life-saving measures. She is an advocate for nurses and patients. She is an excellent clinical nurse and is highly respected by nurses and physicians.