Chantelle Dykstra
March 2011
Chantelle
Dykstra
,
RN
Transplant Medical/Surgical
University of Washington Medical Center
Seattle
,
WA
United States

 

 

 

She is the type of nurse that I would want to care for me, focused on her patients, attention to detail, excellent critical thinking, kindness, and compassion at all times. Chantelle advocates for patients with passion and commitment.
Recently, Chantelle cared for a seriously ill patient and worked diligently to convince the team that a palliative care consult would greatly benefit this patient and family. Working with the clinical practice committee, she has initiated a campaign to educate all caregivers of the value of palliative care for our seriously ill patients, their families, and our staff. With great enthusiasm, many hours of research, the support of the 4SE Clinical Practice Committee, 4SE staff and assistance from UWMC Clinical Nurse Researcher, she developed an intensity scoring tool. This quick and easy tool has helped to provide each RN and PCT with a manageable patient assignment, increasing patient and staff satisfaction.
Chantelle mentors other nursing staff to achieve excellence through certification by acting as the agency coordinator for the med/surg review course held every winter. Chantelle goes above and beyond to problem solve and improve the quality of patient care through participation in these additional activities. She has a way of developing a special relationship with her patients and extends this caring towards her coworkers. Chantelle loves nursing and it shows! She truly has the excellent clinical skills and compassion that warrants this DAISY Award.