I am honored to nominate Lauren Hulse for the DAISY Award because of the incredible strength, compassion, and leadership she displayed. That morning, we lost a young 9-year-old patient in the pediatric ICU around 5:30 AM. It was my first experience performing compressions on a PICU patient, and to say that we were all devastated by the outcome would be an understatement. But in the midst of that heartbreaking situation, Lauren was a beacon of calm and clarity. Her leadership during the code was nothing short of extraordinary. She guided us all - nurses, techs, RTs, pharmacists, and the transport team - with a steady hand. Her communication was clear and compassionate, and she provided invaluable feedback that kept us focused and unified throughout the code.

What struck me was Lauren’s unwavering dedication to everyone involved. She supported not only the patient and their grieving family but also each of us on the team. Lauren's presence was a source of comfort and strength. Her ability to embody the values of compassion, dignity, justice, excellence, and integrity in such a difficult time is something I deeply admire. I believe that Lauren is a DAISY Nurse, not just because of her clinical skills, but for the kindness, empathy, and humanity she brings to her role every day. Lauren's actions reminded me of the profound impact nurses hold, and I'm grateful to have her as a colleague.