I am honored to nominate my co-worker, Rebecca Milteer Shelton, RN, for the DAISY Award. I have been an RN for 30 years, with 28 years in Labor & Delivery. At NMCP, I have had the privilege of working with so many wonderful staff members. I have always said that working at NMCP has been the “Best Job I Ever Had!” Before my transfer to the Women’s Health Clinic, I worked alongside Rebecca on Labor & Delivery at NMCP. Most of our shifts together were on the Night Shift. Rebecca came to NMCP with a strong ICU background. New to Labor & Delivery, Rebecca immediately dived in and in 8 weeks she was fully trained and oriented. From the very beginning, Rebecca would step in right away when a complicated OB or PP was admitted, either by offering to take the patient or to help the assigned Nurse. Rebecca quickly became one of the “Charge Nurses,” and her Leadership on the deck was always outstanding. I have witnessed firsthand her extraordinary compassion, clinical excellence, and dedication to both the patients and our team.

Beyond so many individual Nursing Moments I witnessed working with Rebecca, one example stands out above all. Rebecca cared for a patient and her family who had an IUFD. The patient had come into Labor & Delivery Triage, and the IUFD was found. The family was completely distraught. Rebecca immediately stepped up and said I will take her. The patient and her family were very emotional and having a difficult time, and Rebecca got them to a room quickly at the end of the hall and began to give them her outstanding, unwavering support and nursing care. Rebecca was very attentive to their needs and explained each step with patience and advocated to ensure that the patient and her family’s wishes were respected. Her calm and caring presence reassured this family at a time when all seemed so uncertain. The patient delivered well after Rebecca’s shift was over, but Rebecca stayed (off the clock) to be with the patient and her family until after the delivery. This example to me portrayed the very embodiment of Nursing.

Rebecca consistently goes above and beyond, offering help to her teammates, mentoring new nurses, and ensuring the safety of the Labor & Delivery Deck every 12-hour Night Shift that she works. Rebecca’s kindness, skill, and dedication have made lasting impacts on each patient she encounters. When I think of the values, compassion, respect, and clinical excellence that the DAISY Award represents, I immediately think of Rebecca Shelton.