Carmela Funilas
December 2025
Carmela
Funilas
,
BSN, RN
Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Saint Peter's University Hospital
New Brunswick
,
NJ
United States
She’s not just knowledgeable; she’s the kind of nurse whose expertise even the doctors applaud.
Carmela is one of those rare nurses who truly embody what it means to care for patients with heart, skill, and compassion. She’s not just knowledgeable; she’s the kind of nurse whose expertise even the doctors applaud. I’ve seen physicians stop and genuinely express how impressed they are by her depth of knowledge and clinical judgment.
I remember one time we admitted a patient with a rare syndrome. Just by looking at the patient, Carmela could already tell what the condition was and how to manage it. I was in awe of how confident and accurate she was. She always seems to know exactly what to do, and she does it with calmness and grace.
But what makes her truly special is her heart. I’ve seen her beside a child waking up from anesthesia, offering a comforting hug until the mom could arrive. I’ve seen her quietly hold the hand of an adult patient who was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety, and somehow her touch just brings peace. I’ve even seen her de-escalate aggressive or distressed patients with such gentleness that it feels like magic. She just has that healing presence.
There was one particular day that really stayed with me. A patient in PACU had been waiting for a bed for hours. Most would’ve just checked in occasionally, but Carmela didn’t hesitate to go the extra mile. She made sure the patient had something to eat, and, with permission, she even allowed the family a short visit to ease their worries. She took the time to explain the situation, turning what could have been frustration into gratitude. Later that day, she even helped an elderly family member find their way out of the hospital and get a safe ride home. Watching her that day reminded me of why I became a nurse.
As a coworker, she’s the kind of person everyone can rely on. When I was still a new nurse, she was my preceptor. Patient, kind, and generous with her knowledge. She taught me not just how to care for patients, but how to truly care for them as people. Even when she’s busy with her own patients, she never hesitates to help others.
Carmela goes above and beyond every single day. She’s compassionate, wise, and always ready to serve. She leads with her heart and inspires everyone around her to do the same. She truly deserves this DAISY Award for the difference she makes not just in our patients’ lives, but in all of ours, too.
I remember one time we admitted a patient with a rare syndrome. Just by looking at the patient, Carmela could already tell what the condition was and how to manage it. I was in awe of how confident and accurate she was. She always seems to know exactly what to do, and she does it with calmness and grace.
But what makes her truly special is her heart. I’ve seen her beside a child waking up from anesthesia, offering a comforting hug until the mom could arrive. I’ve seen her quietly hold the hand of an adult patient who was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety, and somehow her touch just brings peace. I’ve even seen her de-escalate aggressive or distressed patients with such gentleness that it feels like magic. She just has that healing presence.
There was one particular day that really stayed with me. A patient in PACU had been waiting for a bed for hours. Most would’ve just checked in occasionally, but Carmela didn’t hesitate to go the extra mile. She made sure the patient had something to eat, and, with permission, she even allowed the family a short visit to ease their worries. She took the time to explain the situation, turning what could have been frustration into gratitude. Later that day, she even helped an elderly family member find their way out of the hospital and get a safe ride home. Watching her that day reminded me of why I became a nurse.
As a coworker, she’s the kind of person everyone can rely on. When I was still a new nurse, she was my preceptor. Patient, kind, and generous with her knowledge. She taught me not just how to care for patients, but how to truly care for them as people. Even when she’s busy with her own patients, she never hesitates to help others.
Carmela goes above and beyond every single day. She’s compassionate, wise, and always ready to serve. She leads with her heart and inspires everyone around her to do the same. She truly deserves this DAISY Award for the difference she makes not just in our patients’ lives, but in all of ours, too.