I'm an employee at EIRMC, but it's not often that as an employee you experience what it's like to be a patient.
 
I would like to nominate Natalie for the DAISY Award, because she is everything that a nurse is and should be.

It is so vulnerable and scary to be a patient. But Natalie made me feel safe, and she fought to make sure my voice was heard.
 
During my first day, I was experiencing breakthrough pains with my treatment, and she rapidly brought the Doctor to my room to make a new plan for my care. As she left the room, I apologized and she told me "You are not a burden". A simple statement, but it had a huge impact on me to feel I was truly cared for by this woman who barely met me.
 
At one point early on, there was a miscommunication in the plan for my care, and it caused some fear and anxiety for me.

When Natalie came back for her shift the following morning and learned what had happened, she took complete control of the situation, and made sure I was taken care of, and that everything was lined up correctly for the remainder of my stay.

She went over all of the information with me, let me write it down, so that I could be aware of my care plan and advocate for myself if need be.

But after her help, I don't need to self-advocate, because she had already taken care of any foreseeable issue.
 
Natalie is so deserving of the DAISY Award, because she is kind, caring, confident, strong, and treats me like I was someone she had known for years.

I will forever think about what an exemplary nurse and person she is. She has changed my life as a patient and as a person.

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