Renju Naduvathanil Chummar
June 2025
Renju
Naduvathanil Chummar
,
RN
Progressive Care Unit
St. Mark's Hospital
Salt Lake City
,
UT
United States
She hasn't just taught me how to be a nurse; she's shown me what high-quality, patient-centered care looks like at St. Mark's.
Every time Renju took care of me, she was happy and concerned about my well-being. She was thoughtful and caring, but most of all, she had no problem cleaning me up after I had accidents several times a night, smiling, and didn't make me feel bad. She always addressed me by name, made sure I got my pain meds, and showed a great deal of compassion for me. I am 66 years old and retired, but mentally young at heart, and I was pretty sick. I believe Renju deserves the DAISY Award for her kindness and for embodying what a true nurse should be.
***
Being a nursing student is incredibly challenging. Imposter syndrome is real, especially as a new nurse on a busy floor. However, I've been extremely fortunate to complete most of my nurse apprentice shifts at St. Mark's alongside Renju Naduvathanil Chummar. I've never met a more compassionate, hardworking nurse. Despite her packed schedule, she consistently goes out of her way to teach and advocate for my learning.
Renju not only leads her peers with excellence, but she also creates space to support students like me. Her willingness to teach made me feel seen and capable. She hasn't just taught me how to be a nurse; she's shown me what high-quality, patient-centered care looks like at St. Mark's. I've never felt like a burden when asking questions, and she handles every need or challenge with urgency and grace.
Whether it's her own patients or others on the unit, Renju ensures everyone receives the best care possible. She doesn't hesitate to step in, advocate, and lift up the entire team. It's the extra moments- her checking in, her problem-solving instinct, her showing me how to do something, her quiet leadership- that set her apart from any nurse I've worked with.
Working a shift with Renju always means support, teamwork, and learning. She shares resources freely, literally leaps into action when a chair alarm goes off, and carries a wealth of knowledge that she generously offers to those around her. Over the past few months, she's taught me everything from charting to complex procedures, and simply through her example, she's shown me how to be a great nurse, and more importantly, she has made me feel welcomed, that I can approach her and has taught me more in my few weeks with her as a nurse apprentice then I have learned in my entire nursing school.
I feel incredibly lucky to have crossed paths with her. I know she likely gets recognized often, and rightly so. Her resilience, compassion, and leadership have affirmed for me that supportive nurses like her make all the difference, and I made the right choice in both my future career as a nurse and the facility I work for.
***
Being a nursing student is incredibly challenging. Imposter syndrome is real, especially as a new nurse on a busy floor. However, I've been extremely fortunate to complete most of my nurse apprentice shifts at St. Mark's alongside Renju Naduvathanil Chummar. I've never met a more compassionate, hardworking nurse. Despite her packed schedule, she consistently goes out of her way to teach and advocate for my learning.
Renju not only leads her peers with excellence, but she also creates space to support students like me. Her willingness to teach made me feel seen and capable. She hasn't just taught me how to be a nurse; she's shown me what high-quality, patient-centered care looks like at St. Mark's. I've never felt like a burden when asking questions, and she handles every need or challenge with urgency and grace.
Whether it's her own patients or others on the unit, Renju ensures everyone receives the best care possible. She doesn't hesitate to step in, advocate, and lift up the entire team. It's the extra moments- her checking in, her problem-solving instinct, her showing me how to do something, her quiet leadership- that set her apart from any nurse I've worked with.
Working a shift with Renju always means support, teamwork, and learning. She shares resources freely, literally leaps into action when a chair alarm goes off, and carries a wealth of knowledge that she generously offers to those around her. Over the past few months, she's taught me everything from charting to complex procedures, and simply through her example, she's shown me how to be a great nurse, and more importantly, she has made me feel welcomed, that I can approach her and has taught me more in my few weeks with her as a nurse apprentice then I have learned in my entire nursing school.
I feel incredibly lucky to have crossed paths with her. I know she likely gets recognized often, and rightly so. Her resilience, compassion, and leadership have affirmed for me that supportive nurses like her make all the difference, and I made the right choice in both my future career as a nurse and the facility I work for.