September 2016
Louise
Perruzza
,
RN, MSN, CCRN
ICU
Northern Westchester Hospital
Mount Kisco
,
NY
United States

 

 

 

Louise is an extraordinary nurse who often goes above and beyond the already high level of care that is offered by her colleagues. Louise is typically given the most complex and difficult cases as her patients, because it is known that she will provide the level of care that everyone would want for themselves or their family members. Louise has remarkable patience for the stress and anxiety that is often experienced by patients and their family members in the ICU, and she has an incredible bedside manner that alleviates those feelings. She gives her all to her patients and their family members in a way that transforms the experience and results in exceptional care.
What is even more impressive is that Louise makes herself available to patients and their family members, even after they've been discharged from the hospital. Many patients and families get a sense of 'nesting syndrome' after surviving their critical illness in ICU. They don't want to leave the comfort and safety of the place where they healed. By making herself available to some of these patients, Louise extends that feeling of safety and comfort, outside of the ICU, and outside of the hospital.
This act is invaluable in a way that is difficult to fully appreciate - unless you've been in that situation. Her devotion to her patients is both impressive and admirable. And that is why I believe Louise embodies the ideals of an Extraordinary Nurse and should be honored with a DAISY Award.