Sara's compassionate care exemplifies the kind of nurse that our patients, their families, and our staff recognize as an outstanding role model. She exemplifies excellence by keeping brushed up on evidenced-based practices and bringing them to the bedside every day. When I had any shifts with her and she was my pod partner, I knew my day was golden because not only was she able to handle her workload, but also help me in a time of need. She also mimics an attitude of positivity and gratitude with staff and families.
She is heavily involved in many aspects of the hospital. At the unit level, she manages our "we care" fund, many unit-based activities, the employee of the quarter basket, and the rapid response newsletter. She is also a co-chair of a shared leadership committee. She does all this and probably a few I have forgotten while in a master's program!
Her compassion for her patients and families is unlike any other. We call her bath "the full treatment". The patients don't get an ordinary wipe down; the patient gets a head to toe bath with soap and towels, lotion, powder, and many times full hair wash. I admit I would rarely wash hair, but because of her influence, I did it for many more of my patients.
The teamwork Sara constantly role models is like a black hole; you just can't help yourself from wanting to help her or grab her to help you. She never makes you feel like you shouldn't ask her. I would hunt her out specifically to come to help me because it wasn't a task to her. She instills teamwork deeply into her new orientees which in turn cultivates the culture of teamwork.
Patient advocacy is her top priority. If the patient is not getting the care she needs, well she will go find it. Every patient is a VIP, and no one gets left behind.
As far as critical thinking, I was never alone to bounce ideas off her and vice versa. She can pull together staff during a code and lead with example. She can assume any role with ease during a code situation, and she knows how to throw her voice respectfully with closed-loop communication. She and I were like 2 birds of a feather when it came to critical patients. I could always rely on her.
With her heart of gold, patients and families always remember her name and what she did special for them. Her focus on patients and families is the center of her core; she listens, explains, and educates never losing focus on the patient's needs and goals. Sara is a true DAISY Nurse.