Lauren Atkins
February 2025
Lauren
Atkins
,
BSN, RN
4S Medical-Surgical Unit
Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center
LaGrange
,
GA
United States
Lauren provided my mother with an array of snack options, ensuring she could find something appealing to eat.
I am honored to nominate Lauren Atkins and Katherine Clark for the DAISY Award, recognizing their exceptional teamwork, care, and dedication to patient well-being. Together, they transformed what could have been a distressing night for my mother into a moment of comfort and healing that will forever be etched in our hearts.
My mother, who has a history of dementia, struggles profoundly in hospital settings. Her condition often triggers severe anxiety, confusion, and delirium with hallucinations, making her care especially challenging. One night, my mother had been awake for close to 48 hours. She was visibly restless and had eaten very little throughout the day, which exacerbated her confusion. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Lauren immediately stepped in with both compassion and ingenuity.
Lauren provided my mother with an array of snack options, ensuring she could find something appealing to eat. This simple yet thoughtful gesture encouraged my mother to eat, even getting her to enjoy macaroni and cheese—a food she typically dislikes. Nourished and somewhat calm, my mother was in a better place for the next step of her care.
Lauren then collaborated with Katherine Clark, the unit charge nurse, to create a "spa treatment" experience for my mother. Using a shampoo cap, which my mother loves, they washed her hair gently and combed it out strand by strand, carefully removing tangles. Katherine’s expert touch and attention to detail brought a sense of peace and dignity to my mother’s care. She even braided my mother’s hair, keeping it out of her face in a way that my mother truly appreciated.
This compassionate teamwork had a transformative effect. My mother slept soundly for eight uninterrupted hours—a crucial turning point in her hospitalization. She awoke feeling rested, calmer, and significantly less anxious.
The care Lauren and Katherine provided went far beyond the clinical necessities. They treated my mother as a person, not just a patient, creating an environment of comfort, dignity, and trust. Their extraordinary teamwork exemplifies the true essence of nursing, and I am deeply grateful for the positive impact they had on my mother and our family.
My mother, who has a history of dementia, struggles profoundly in hospital settings. Her condition often triggers severe anxiety, confusion, and delirium with hallucinations, making her care especially challenging. One night, my mother had been awake for close to 48 hours. She was visibly restless and had eaten very little throughout the day, which exacerbated her confusion. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Lauren immediately stepped in with both compassion and ingenuity.
Lauren provided my mother with an array of snack options, ensuring she could find something appealing to eat. This simple yet thoughtful gesture encouraged my mother to eat, even getting her to enjoy macaroni and cheese—a food she typically dislikes. Nourished and somewhat calm, my mother was in a better place for the next step of her care.
Lauren then collaborated with Katherine Clark, the unit charge nurse, to create a "spa treatment" experience for my mother. Using a shampoo cap, which my mother loves, they washed her hair gently and combed it out strand by strand, carefully removing tangles. Katherine’s expert touch and attention to detail brought a sense of peace and dignity to my mother’s care. She even braided my mother’s hair, keeping it out of her face in a way that my mother truly appreciated.
This compassionate teamwork had a transformative effect. My mother slept soundly for eight uninterrupted hours—a crucial turning point in her hospitalization. She awoke feeling rested, calmer, and significantly less anxious.
The care Lauren and Katherine provided went far beyond the clinical necessities. They treated my mother as a person, not just a patient, creating an environment of comfort, dignity, and trust. Their extraordinary teamwork exemplifies the true essence of nursing, and I am deeply grateful for the positive impact they had on my mother and our family.