Karen continues to exemplify the true passion necessary for any nurse. She continues to extend herself above and beyond when it comes to patient care needs and is the ultimate team player. Her critical thinking skills are sharp and her care is always patient-focused.
One example of her extending herself beyond her usual duties is an occasion where we had a young 26-year-old female patient admitted who also happened to be homeless. The patient was tearful and very concerned about discharge because she had no appropriate clothes or shoes and the weather at the time had been cold (she had been taken from a friend's home by EMS and only now had paper scrubs). Karen reassured her, that we would do all we can to ensure she didn't have to leave in the cold. In addition, that night she returned to work with a baggie filled with appropriately sized clothes, a sweater and a pair of tennis for the patient, who through tears explained with gratitude that this was the nicest thing ever done for her.
This along with countless other sweet gestures of kindness to many patients places her in the realm of nurses who are truly 'called' for this profession. As an excellent team member, she is always ready and willing to help any colleague with any task without hesitation. I most frequently see her as the one who would 'take one for the team' in terms of difficult admissions or extra admissions, to relieve another nurse of the task. Her advocacy skills are constantly on display as she seeks ways to make her patient comfortable and move closer to wellness.