When I think of what it means to be a DAISY Nurse, Priscilla Velazquez, BSN, RN, CGRN immediately comes to my mind. I am continually witnessing her selfless acts of kindness, and I am now finally taking the time to stop and share with others what I see in Priscilla.
I have worked beside Priscilla for many years in the Endoscopy Department. Watching her interact with her patients is always a pleasure as she consistently demonstrates sincere concern, respect, warmth, and kindness. Her caring is not reserved for her patients alone but extends to her patients' families as well. She always ensures that those in her care have the best possible experience while they are with us.
While Pricilla clearly exhibits compassion and caring while nursing her patients, it is her kindness, caring, and consideration toward coworkers and fellow staff members that make her ordinary acts of compassion extraordinary.
While seemingly a simple thing, Pricilla takes the time to recognize the birthdays of every staff member in Endoscopy. She plans monthly birthday celebrations, making sure to find out the special preferences of each birthday celebrant. Her thoughtfulness is truly inspiring; she lifts the Endoscopy staff with her continual acts of kindness. Again, birthday recognition seems like a simple thing, but it is extraordinary in this case as Priscilla no longer works in our department yet continues to come back monthly to celebrate us!
Priscilla's kindness and consideration extend beyond the Endoscopy Department. I have seen her provide treats for other departments such as the Ambulatory Surgery Department, PACU, several nursing units, and even the operators. She bakes for birthdays and makes rounds throughout the hospital with goodies for the holidays, sharing good cheer with others. Whether it's a birthday celebration, holiday treats, or a pick-me-up after a bad day, Pricilla' s thoughtfulness promotes positivity, inspires good feelings, and represents what it means to be a caregiver. Priscilla truly cares.
Compassionate, kind, caring-these are all adjectives I've used to describe Priscilla. However, I think nurturing best describes Priscilla's selfless actions. Through her thoughtful support and celebration of her colleagues, Priscilla nurtures us all, nourishing us to allow us to be the best caregivers we can be. One example that stands out in my mind, in particular, occurred on a very busy and difficult day in our unit. Everyone was stressed, working non-stop; tensions were high. I looked up from my work and saw Priscilla walking through the unit with a tray filled with glasses of water. She came to each of us one by one, offered us a glass, and told us to stop for a minute, drink, and breathe. That small thoughtful action made such an impact. I was nourished in more ways than one. I felt recognized, validated, and cared for, and was able to carry on with the day feeling re-energized. Priscilla has that unique ability to recognize a need in another and immediately takes action to meet that need. She is a true caregiver.
Now that Priscilla has moved on to the PICC Team, we miss her daily presence in Endoscopy, but I know that she is spreading her care and compassion with patients and staff throughout the hospital. The DAISY Award recognizes the important difference nurses make in all the lives they touch, and I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition than Priscilla Velazquez.