I received a call from the daughter of a patient in the ICU who wanted to share her experiences regarding a nurse who made a significant impact in her life. When her father was in the ICU, it was a very emotional situation for her as she had been estranged from her father and her brother for years. When she entered the room, the situation was complicated and the nurse, Stacey Kinsley, picked up on this immediately. Stacy recognized how difficult the situation was for her and her brother and was able to navigate the complex emotional and clinically difficult situation with great empathy and professionalism. Stacy made sure that she always understood the discussions that were happening in the room, and made sure that she felt like she was part of the situation regardless of the family dynamic.
At one point Stacy must have overheard that it was her birthday so she pulled her aside in the afternoon and brought her a cupcake and said, "this is for you, you deserve this." It meant the world to have someone acknowledge how difficult the situation was especially on a birthday. While it was a simple gesture, she said, "Stacy touched my heart".
Later on, the situation turned to a discussion of goals of care and some very difficult decisions were made. The grandchildren were unable to come to the ICU and Stacy took the time to make a very special gesture for them. She found a teddy bear and special blanket and laid them on the chest of the patient. She then gave them to the patient's daughter and said, these are for your children so they have something from him. She was so touched and said that Stacy had found a way to acknowledge that she had always loved her father and helped bring closure for her and her children. Stacy's exceptional care and compassion for the patient and family are why I am proud to nominate Stacy Kinsley for the DAISY Award at Danbury Hospital.