While I nominate Elizabeth Convis, RN, for the DAISY Award for many reasons, I’ll name just a few here. She greets each patient with a warm smile as she introduces herself as their nurse, and assures them that she will take good care of them. She treats patients as if they are one of her own family members, and takes the time to talk with them, tending to their emotional as well as their physical needs by offering coffee, warm blankets, and a bit of humor. She spends time with family members, and advocates on behalf of her patients and families. In addition, she has served as a mentor and preceptor, sharing her knowledge and helping nurses to learn how to think critically.
Elizabeth takes care of her co-workers as well as her patients and families. She helps her fellow nurses, CNAs, and HUCs, and she does things for them when they are overwhelmed, encourages them to take breaks, gets them coffee, and takes the time to ask them how they are really doing. I have found out by talking with my co-workers that she has supported many of them in their time of need and in a way which was especially meaningful to them. This brings me one of the reasons I am writing this nomination today. I was a co-worker she supported through a very difficult time.
I had a family member who lived far away and was critically ill. So much so, that the doctors were not sure that they would make it. Elizabeth always helped me, asked me how the sick one was, how their family was, and how I was. She spoke with members of her church and family, and soon there were five more prayer chains going for my loved one. I truly believe that this is one of the reasons my family member pulled through. When she heard my family member was depressed, she went out and bought three cards for everyone to write short notes of encouragement. She then mailed them to my family herself. This was so unexpected, and very much appreciated. She said she knew how hard it was since she had a special needs child herself. In addition to taking care of him, she teaches him how to take care of himself, and encourages him to be compassionate, understanding, and supportive of others, just as he has been cared for and supported himself.
As if all of this is not enough, I have learned that the block where she lives is all too often the site of car accidents. When she is home she runs out and provides assistance to all who need it.
She has served on committees, and has supported the hospital’s efforts. She celebrates the successes of others and shares in their tears. She supports and cheers everyone on. She makes everyone she interacts with feel special and cared about. She is a wonderful person, as well as a wonderful nurse.