I am writing to nominate ICU RN Nick for the DAISY Award in recognition of the extraordinary care and compassion he provided to my grandmother, who was living with dementia and nearing the end of her life. During my grandmother’s final days at Norton Audubon in their ICU, Nick displayed a level of dedication, kindness, and professionalism that went beyond what we ever could have expected. Caring for someone with dementia, especially in the later stages of life, requires not only medical expertise but also a profound understanding of the emotional and spiritual challenges that both the patient and their family face. Nick showed a remarkable ability to provide both skilled care and deep emotional support, ensuring that my grandmother felt safe, comfortable, and respected in her final days.
From the beginning, Nick prioritized learning about my grandmother as a person—her preferences, her likes and dislikes, and what brought her comfort. Despite my grandmother’s memory loss, Nick would take the time to speak to her gently, maintaining eye contact and treating her with the dignity she deserved. Even when my grandmother couldn’t recognize us or communicate as she once did, Nick never wavered in providing the most compassionate care. One moment in particular stands out to me during our stay. My Grandmother was fixated on finding her wallet to pay Nick for her time in the hospital. None of the family present in the room had a wallet to soothe my grandmother, so Nick went out to the nurse’s station, brought in his money, and slipped it to a member of my family so we could tell my grandmother that we had her money so she would be able to pay the nurse. This simple act of kindness calmed my grandmother and showed how much Nick cared about his profession and patients. He took time to calm her and ensure she was not in distress during what was already a difficult and confusing time for her. The relief that spread across my grandmother's face with this simple act is something that I will not soon forget. Nurses are very busy with patients, but Nick never failed to make time. My grandmother felt like she was his only patient and that he cared deeply about her needs. What truly set Nick apart was his ability to balance the physical care of a dying patient with an unwavering commitment to emotional support.
Nick was there for my family, offering medical care and emotional guidance. He answered our questions about end-of-life care, providing clear information and allowing us to make informed decisions about my grandmother’s care. Nick also offered moments of connection, providing quiet, respectful support as we navigated the overwhelming emotions of the situation. Throughout my grandmother’s time in Nick’s care, we witnessed someone who was not only a skilled nurse but also a compassionate soul, deeply committed to the wellbeing of his patients and their families. Nick’s ability to care for my grandmother with grace, dignity, and respect in her final moments will always be remembered. He made a difficult time a little more bearable and brought peace to our family. I am honored to nominate Nick for the DAISY Award for these reasons. His unwavering dedication to compassionate care for my grandmother and our family exemplifies the values that this award represents. We are deeply grateful for Nick's profound impact during our time of need. We truly are thankful for all of the excellent staff at Norton!