Amy Hernandez, BSN, RN

I am writing to acknowledge a nurse who exemplifies not only what a nurse is, but what it means to be committed to the profession in heart, body, and mind. Amy Hernandez has worked on Jane Brown 4 North for several years and, during this period, has developed a deep understanding of Cystic Fibrosis patients’ treatments and protocols. She is a driving force in ensuring that treatment plans and medications are correct from the moment a patient arrives on the floor. Her altruistic efforts make the patient’s hospital stay a seamless and efficient transition from daily life to hospital living. This letter acknowledges Amy's commitment to patients’ health and well-being while they reside on Jane Brown 4 North.

Amy's commitment to the role makes her an exemplary employee, a great leader, and one of the best nurses I have encountered over my 53 years as a patient in this hospital. Finding and retaining a person with this level of dedication is one of the hardest tasks for management, but the leadership on Jane Brown 4 North has succeeded in building and retaining a strong staffing team. As a patient, I have seen other nurses look to Amy for guidance, and no matter how busy she is, she is always available to assist their peers. I have seen this nurse work late nights to complete tasks and ensure smooth transitions between shifts. This level of commitment is rare and sets her apart.

From a patient’s perspective, the words I would use to describe Amy are: passionate, reliable, detail-oriented, committed, and selfless. Long hospital visits—anywhere from 10 to 21 days per Cystic Fibrosis flare-up—do not seem as long when care is managed by someone with this level of dedication. By consistently going above and beyond and being detail-oriented, Amy minimizes calls to the front desk, which provides comfort in knowing that medications and care needs are handled efficiently.

For frequent patients at this facility, long-term staff retention offers comfort, as staff become familiar not only with general protocols for Cystic Fibrosis but also with patients on an individual level. Knowing the patient personally benefits both the care facility and the patient, especially during admission, when patients may not be in the best state of mind. When a nurse understands a patient’s regimen on a personal level, they can advocate effectively when something is not right—whether related to medications, treatments, or overall health status.

For example, during one admission, when I arrived on the floor, Amy already knew I was coming, told me my room assignment, and had started the care plan with the physicians. Although I arrived near the end of their shift, Amy remained attentive to my admission and care until the end of the shift. Once I was settled, Amy went above and beyond by coordinating with the electrical department to expedite inspection of a personal cooler needed for medication. From previous admissions, Amy understood the importance of maintaining specific dietary requirements tied to medication schedules. By proactively addressing this need, she ensured that my medication regimen could be followed without interruption. This required coordination with both the electrical department and leadership to ensure prompt approval. Thanks to these efforts, everything was in place by early the next day.

Another detail that highlights Amy's excellence is how she manages IV disconnections between medications. While this may seem minor, it significantly impacts comfort, mobility, and independence. Rather than defaulting to keeping patients continuously connected, Amy takes the time to ensure patients can move freely when appropriate. When Amy commits to something, she follows through—an attribute that reinforces trust and reliability. These seemingly small actions elevate a hospital stay from average to exceptional. Because of Amy, I rarely need to request assistance, allowing staff to support other patients while also making my experience more comfortable. I deeply appreciate the care provided and view this individual, along with many staff members, as an extension of my family. The compassion and selflessness demonstrated consistently deserve recognition.

It is important to acknowledge excellence in nursing, as these professionals often face significant challenges and do not always receive the recognition they deserve. I hope this letter highlights how special and committed this nurse is to patients, the profession, and the organization.

I strongly believe this nurse deserves recognition through the DAISY Award and should also be acknowledged in performance evaluations for leadership and outstanding patient care. This individual exemplifies all CARE principles—compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence—and goes beyond them. The level of care provided leaves a lasting impact that is deeply meaningful to patients.