She is a leader who shows compassion every day by listening to us, not only our work issues, but also our personal issues. She follows up on our concerns. She would never make you feel stupid or unappreciated.  She cares about all of us, all of our patients, and our anesthesia providers.  Just a few months ago. She drove through the night from Chicago to attend our CRNA's father's wake.  She puts herself in our shoes and tries to see it from our point of view.  She makes coming to work as fun as she can. She bakes for us on Mondays because she knows Mondays can be tough.  She is a really good example; she stays late on Fridays, even when other leaders might have started their weekend early.   She doesn't let us get discouraged.  We had a physician who recently went out for a few weeks, and we were worried about our hours. She didn't get flustered at all.  She found us work.   

She is not afraid to get her hands dirty.   She is the first one to make a bed or empty a commode.  There is no job she won't do, and she will tell us how much better we do at some of the jobs. She encourages us to be better, she allows our shared governance group to make changes even if she doesn't like them, if the majority of us want to try it, she will let us pilot it. The way she praises us in front of the patients makes all of us want to be our very best.  She encourages us to be involved in the SGNA; she wants more of us to be certified.  She isn't afraid to say she is sorry.  She isn't afraid to question a physician. She has our back.  She will remove us from an unsafe condition and put herself in our place. Below are some more examples of how she exemplifies a great leader:

•    She creates an environment that fosters care and compassion by making us feel heard and giving us her full attention when we talk. 
•    She makes us feel valued by bringing up even the smallest accomplishments. 
•    She is genuine. She will take out the trash and clean a commode.   
•    She will stand there and listen to a patient for hours if it's needed. She is empathetic and understanding. We feel loved. 
•    She is accessible, available, and responsive to our needs.  

Here is another specific example of her care for her staff.  Last year, the on-call nurse couldn't leave because the patient’s family couldn't come to pick him up. The hospital was full with no available beds. She came in at midnight so the nurse could go home.  She cared for the patient until the family came to get him, and then she worked the entire day. She is available 24/7; she tells us to call in the middle of the night if something is bothering us.  And a few of us have tested it out.  She means it. You will never get her voicemail.  Her husband will answer the phone and get her even if she is in the shower.  Now that's dedication!!!!  

How does she promote the image of nursing within the organization, community, and profession? She never comes to our shared governance meetings. She lets us pilot things, even though she may not like the idea or think it will work to help us learn how to think critically. She is proud of the nursing profession; she will tell us how it's the best thing she ever fell into.  

She wants us to go back to school or get certified, and she will work with our school schedules to make it happen for us.  She offered to babysit one of our techs' children, who was worried about not being able to take her test.  She wants us to be happy and proud of our profession.  She will help you find another job in the hospital if Endo isn't for you.  She posts sign-up sheets or information flyers with all of Baxter doings so we can help in the community.  She is proud of the hospital, and she is proud of us, even though we tease her about not being from around here.  We don't know what we did before she came. There is no leader here as dedicated as ours.  

Note: This is Kimberly's 2nd DAISY Award!