Recently, during a particularly challenging scenario, Leigh exemplified the true essence of nursing by expediting care for a patient in distress while also providing emotional support to the family.

The situation involved a young patient who was admitted overnight in the ED as an urgent case to go into the OR. Despite the urgent nature of the situation, the procedure kept getting delayed throughout the night. By morning, the father was still without a clear update on when his child would finally go into the OR. The conflicting signals he received-from being told the surgery was urgent to experiencing these ongoing delays-left him confused and anxious.

This lack of consistent information heightened the father's frustration, as he struggled to reconcile the acute urgency of his child's condition with the reality of the delays. He felt increasingly dismissed, as if his concerns were falling on deaf ears, which only added to his distress. The young patient, overwhelmed by the uncertainty and anxiety, was visibly upset, crying uncontrollably.

Fortunately, as soon as Leigh became aware of the father's distress, she took immediate action to address both the medical needs of the young patient and the emotional needs of the father. She worked closely with the OR charge RN to expedite the surgery while simultaneously acknowledging the father's feelings and offering reassurance. Leigh's compassionate approach stood out, as she prioritized understanding and supporting the father amid the pressing urgency of the medical situation.

With empathy and kindness, Leigh took the time to sit with the father, listen to his worries, and provide reassurance. She communicated clearly about the care plan and what to expect, which helped to alleviate some of the father's fears. It was evident that the father felt a genuine connection with Leigh, and he expressed his gratitude with tears in his eyes, thanking her for both the swift care given to his child by the primary RN and the comfort provided to him during such a stressful time by Leigh.

Leigh's ability to balance clinical excellence with compassionate care not only significantly impacted the patient's immediate well-being but also provided the family with the emotional support they desperately needed. This experience highlights the profound role nurses play in healthcare, and I believe Leigh is truly deserving of this recognition.

Thank you for considering this nomination for Leigh, whose actions exemplify the values we hold dear in our nursing profession. Her dedication to patient care and emotional support has made a lasting impression on this father.