I have been a nurse for 16 years, and I have to say that this was undoubtedly one of the biggest highlights of my career. I was completely surprised and humbled when the administrative staff and the founders of this organization came to my job a few weeks ago to present me with this award!!
As I stood there, awkward and bumbling and bawling like a baby, I could only think about how many times I've thought that I have the best job in the world. My patients are the real heroes - they inspire ME, and if anyone deserves an award, it's them!
I had an opportunity to talk with the parents who founded this organization in memory of their son, J. Patrick Barnes, to honor the nurses who cared for him while he was sick. D.A.I.S.Y is an acronym for "diseases attacking the immune system", and Patrick had an illness called ITP. Please take time to read about this extraordinary man, and the family that loved him so much that they created such a special foundation in his honor! The Daisy Foundation
I am blessed beyond words to do what I do. Some of the most amazing people in the world to me are those I've met throughout my career, as my patients as well as my coworkers! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!
Sheila Smith
 |
Sheila Smith, RN Orthopedics Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Santa Rosa, CA |
A young trauma patient was transferred to our floor from ICU. The patient is 22 years old and was very scared. She was in a motorcycle accident and had severed injuries to her left arm and left leg. Sheila was in the room with the patient when the MD came to see her. The patient complained that her leg didn't feel right. The patient's knee had popped out of place. The MD went to put it back in place right there in the room. Sheila jumped right in and told the patient to hit her PCA button and pulled out her PCA key to give her a nurse bolus. She stayed with the patient the entire time telling her what a great job she was doing.
The same patient went to the OR the following day and came back to us and was in a lot of pain and scared. She doesn't talk to her parents and we haven't seen any family. Sheila was in the room with me and offered to wash her hair and braid it for her. The look on my patient's face was so sweet. I could see tears in her eyes (joy/appreciation) and told Sheila she would love it. Sheila stayed true to her word and after she finished her assignments for the dayshift, etc. she went back into my patient's room and washed her hair and braided it. It was such a nice motherly thing to do and her actions put a huge smile on my patient's face.
Sheila is an exceptional nurse and an exceptional person. Out of anyone, she deserves this DAISY Award. She demonstrates compassion and clinical excellence in everything she does. She is truly a “hero” in my eyes. One of her greatest qualities is her willingness to help at any given moment while always smiling. Sheila always shows the patients, their families and our staff her love for her job. Her energy and happiness is contagious and the patients love her. As a lead nurse, she is always there to help. Whether it is a difficult IV start or a rectal tube, Sheila is always the first one to jump up and say “I can do it!” She teaches us every day and makes all of us better nurses. She is an inspiration to everyone and every hospital would be lucky to have a nurse like her. My patients consistently tell her that she makes them smile and feel more at ease. Her compassion for people is never ending and she has a heart of gold.
Sheila is just a super nurse. She helps out with all the patients and family members all the time. None of the family members or the patients have every complained about her. She is always ready to help all the nurses, take care of all patient needs and makes sure everyone is comfortable and happy. She totally deserves this award. Always makes sure patient’s pain is under control and never hesitates to call the doctors in the middle of the night. Sheila is just a wonderful, great, caring and super nurse.
No comments:
Post a Comment