My 70-year-old husband was a patient on 4 West after he was bucked from his horse and sent through the air like a javelin. His fall resulted in 6 broken ribs and a hemopneumothorax. He had never had a serious illness before so the gravity of his condition was shocking and frightening for both of us. We had this nurse for several days and her attitude was exceptionally calming. Initially, she explained what happened to the insides of my husband, explaining a hemopneumothorax in terms that were easy to understand. She let us know she had cared for many patients like my husband, who got well and returned home to a normal life. She was remarkably compassionate, and her knowledge was excellent.

This nurse had a constant “can do” attitude! She organized my husband’s medications, lab draws, OT, PT, and ADL such that he had blocks of time for rest without interruption. In a busy hospital like Research, I was astounded at her ability to do that! She knew everyone in different departments and was a phenomenal team player. From the trauma medical team to the housekeepers, she knew them all and worked well with all of them! She was all about promoting health and the healing process. She continually encouraged my husband to walk In the halls to open his lungs and promote healing. Her excellent knowledge of the healing process kept us moving as she helped us realize how it could help prevent pneumonia and get him healthy quicker. She also encouraged him to take in fluids to help his kidneys, which were mildly damaged by Iga Nephropathy.

It was obvious she had several patients to care for or was doing both charge nurse duties as well as patient care, but she was incessantly cheerful. She never acted harried or too busy to help us. A few examples of her caring attitude include: she helped my husband figure out how to order his meals, walked my husband in the halls after disconnecting all his wires and tubes then reconnecting them once he returned, and she called for a cot when I stayed the night, advised me of cafeteria hours so I wouldn’t miss meals, and always had a calm, cheerful smile. Her attitude showed that helping and caring for her patients was something she loved to do. As she took care of my husband it was clear how much she truly cared about him and about me as well. She wasn’t there just to put in her time. She did/does her job motivated by CARING for both her patients and their family members. She is a true DAISY Nurse.