Sarah Ryan is a truly gifted caregiver who always provides excellent care to all of her patients, as well as her co-workers. She is a nurse who exemplifies what the DAISY Award stands for.
Sarah is a calming force at work who is someone we can model ourselves after. Sarah shows her co-workers what it means to care for patients. Sarah is always someone that I seek out whenever I have a question regarding a patient’s medical status. She is knowledgeable in many areas, not just what may be considered within the realm of nursing. Sarah is able to assess the situation and determine the safest way to assist a patient, and she consistently provides enough support to foster independence without overdoing it. Sometimes in our busy work environment, people may be tempted to just put the shirt on for the patient versus giving the patient the time to attempt it on their own, but Sarah remembers why her patients are on the unit……to regain independence.
Sarah also makes sure to take time to answer any and all questions posed to her by not only her patient’s but the family members as well. Sarah makes sure that the patients and their families are up to speed regarding their medical situation, which allows the patient to have a clearer vision of the entire medical picture. Sarah is a sensitive caregiver, in that she makes sure that the patient maintains as much dignity as they can while hospitalized. She makes sure that she knocks before entering the patient’s room, and then actually waits for a response from the patient before entering! She nurses not only the patient’s body, but also the patient’s soul. She seeks to understand where each of her patients is coming from, and she understands that although patients may have the same diagnosis that brought them into the hospital, each patient has their own story.
When it is time for new employees to be trained on the unit, Sarah is not only willing to help out, but is the go to person regarding mentoring. Sarah clearly explains the many facets of the unit to her co-workers, and always does it in such a way as to not make you feel like a bother. I remember when I started working at Finley, Sarah was always so willing to help me out and show me where things were, or help me if I got stuck on the computer charting…..and she is not even in the same department as me! She also thinks farther down the road than just what the patient may experience during their hospitalization.
On the days when it seems that there is no end in sight, Sarah is the first to kick it up a notch and help her co-workers through the madness, without the patient’s ever knowing that the rest of us may be a bit stressed. Even if the patient is not technically hers, Sarah will do whatever it takes to get the job done. She will answer a call light or grab something for me, regardless of who is listed as the patient’s nurse that day.
I always know that no matter what the day brings, as long as Sarah is working, it is going to be a great day! It is for all the above reasons SARAH RYAN deserves to receive the DAISY Award.