Karen Sharpe
April 2022
Karen
Sharpe
,
BSN, RN
ICU
Health Carousel
Cincinnati
,
OH
United States
Karen knew the power of human touch, even if it was through PPE.
I have known Karen for about 2 years, and it has been such a pleasure getting to know her and assisting her with her travel nursing journey. Karen is one of the most easy-going, hard-working RNs I’ve ever known. Her tenacity and commitment to nursing are inspiring, especially amidst these tough times during the pandemic. Not once has Karen ever complained about her assignment, even in circumstances where it may be warranted, such as when she was floated to a unit where she had limited experience and was in charge of 7 patients.
Karen has been an ICU for over 10 years where you typically only care for 1-2 patients at a time, but she was willing to help and float to where there was a need. Not only does it take a true healthcare hero to accept an assignment outside of her comfort zone, but to do so with such grace and resilience shows Karen’s true character. Karen is currently on assignment in Rochester, NY. Our contact at the facility reached out to us with a touching story from one of her patient’s daughters.
Karen has made a strong, everlasting, impression on a patient’s family member while taking care of their father. I included the words from the patient’s daughter below that show how impacted she was by Karen’s nurturing care:
“Karen knew the power of human touch, even if it was through PPE. She did take the time to make sure my father was comfortable. She held his hand. She adjusted and unraveled all the cords going to him. She spoke to him like he was a human with a brain, not a child. He had COVID and was recently diagnosed with diabetes and despite following the doctor’s recommendations, and trying 5-6 different medications, his sugar levels remained high. He wanted to wait to get the vaccine until he got his sugars under control.”
This passage speaks volumes to me about Karen’s character. Karen didn’t allow politics to interfere with her care of this patient, and she treated him like she would any other, with the utmost respect and care. Karen knows that as a nurse you treat all patients equally. The words “even through PPE” really stood out to me and make the story that much more real and chilling about what our world has been suffering through the past 2 years. The patient must have been feeling worried and uncertain being in the ICU with COVID, especially after a recent diagnosis of diabetes. Karen’s ability to still connect with this patient and express healing through holding his hand is what this world needs more of right now. I want Karen to know that her compassion and kindness do not go unnoticed. I’m so proud of her and completely humbled to be able to work with someone who exemplifies all of the values that the DAISY Award stands for.
Karen has been an ICU for over 10 years where you typically only care for 1-2 patients at a time, but she was willing to help and float to where there was a need. Not only does it take a true healthcare hero to accept an assignment outside of her comfort zone, but to do so with such grace and resilience shows Karen’s true character. Karen is currently on assignment in Rochester, NY. Our contact at the facility reached out to us with a touching story from one of her patient’s daughters.
Karen has made a strong, everlasting, impression on a patient’s family member while taking care of their father. I included the words from the patient’s daughter below that show how impacted she was by Karen’s nurturing care:
“Karen knew the power of human touch, even if it was through PPE. She did take the time to make sure my father was comfortable. She held his hand. She adjusted and unraveled all the cords going to him. She spoke to him like he was a human with a brain, not a child. He had COVID and was recently diagnosed with diabetes and despite following the doctor’s recommendations, and trying 5-6 different medications, his sugar levels remained high. He wanted to wait to get the vaccine until he got his sugars under control.”
This passage speaks volumes to me about Karen’s character. Karen didn’t allow politics to interfere with her care of this patient, and she treated him like she would any other, with the utmost respect and care. Karen knows that as a nurse you treat all patients equally. The words “even through PPE” really stood out to me and make the story that much more real and chilling about what our world has been suffering through the past 2 years. The patient must have been feeling worried and uncertain being in the ICU with COVID, especially after a recent diagnosis of diabetes. Karen’s ability to still connect with this patient and express healing through holding his hand is what this world needs more of right now. I want Karen to know that her compassion and kindness do not go unnoticed. I’m so proud of her and completely humbled to be able to work with someone who exemplifies all of the values that the DAISY Award stands for.