Pamela VanDeusen
February 2025
Pamela
VanDeusen
,
BSN, RN, GERO-BC
Neurosciences and Orthopedics
MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center
Laguna Hills
,
CA
United States
He let her know he just wanted to dance. So, what did Pam do? She got him up, and they danced!
The DAISY Nurse Leader Award is given to nurse leaders for their compassion, kindness, the skills they bring to their patients every day, and for creating an environment where compassion and skills thrive. Pam embodies these qualities.
Pam is a night shift clinical supervisor in the Neuroscience and Orthopedic unit. She has worked at Saddleback for the past 28 years and has been a clinical supervisor for most of those. She is the sunshine and rays of light represented in the Nursing Professional Practice Model at Saddleback. Being the sunshine and rays of light is hard to accomplish when you work at night!
She is patient-centered and advocates for the team and patients with every interaction. Pam is the first one to step up when anyone needs assistance. She ensures that her team is prepared and able to meet the demands that are asked of them. Our patients value her too. She is often in a room speaking with our patients or holding the hand of someone who is confused.
One PCT let me know that one night, a patient was confused and wanted to get out of bed. In fact, that patient was climbing out of bed for the better part of the shift. The PCT explains that Pam came in, sat down with the patient, and wanted to know more about what was going on. She asked him why he wanted to get up. Did he need to use the bathroom? No, he did not. Was he hungry and wanting to go to the kitchen? No, he was not hungry. He let her know he just wanted to dance. So, what did Pam do? She got him up, and they danced!
Pam creates an environment of caring by role modeling the medical center's core values: Accountability, Best Practice, Compassion, and Synergy. I think that the patient's story highlights them all. One of the nurses on our unit told me Pam thrives in those situations. She is knowledgeable about caring for our geriatric and delirium patients and demonstrates tremendous respect and compassion. He also told me he always learns so much by working with her in those situations. I am proud to work with such a courageous and compassionate nurse.
Pam is a night shift clinical supervisor in the Neuroscience and Orthopedic unit. She has worked at Saddleback for the past 28 years and has been a clinical supervisor for most of those. She is the sunshine and rays of light represented in the Nursing Professional Practice Model at Saddleback. Being the sunshine and rays of light is hard to accomplish when you work at night!
She is patient-centered and advocates for the team and patients with every interaction. Pam is the first one to step up when anyone needs assistance. She ensures that her team is prepared and able to meet the demands that are asked of them. Our patients value her too. She is often in a room speaking with our patients or holding the hand of someone who is confused.
One PCT let me know that one night, a patient was confused and wanted to get out of bed. In fact, that patient was climbing out of bed for the better part of the shift. The PCT explains that Pam came in, sat down with the patient, and wanted to know more about what was going on. She asked him why he wanted to get up. Did he need to use the bathroom? No, he did not. Was he hungry and wanting to go to the kitchen? No, he was not hungry. He let her know he just wanted to dance. So, what did Pam do? She got him up, and they danced!
Pam creates an environment of caring by role modeling the medical center's core values: Accountability, Best Practice, Compassion, and Synergy. I think that the patient's story highlights them all. One of the nurses on our unit told me Pam thrives in those situations. She is knowledgeable about caring for our geriatric and delirium patients and demonstrates tremendous respect and compassion. He also told me he always learns so much by working with her in those situations. I am proud to work with such a courageous and compassionate nurse.