From the moment Giana stepped onto 11NW as a new nurse, she has exuded grace, compassion, and empathy far beyond her years of experience. As her preceptor, I can honestly say that she inspired me to become a better nurse - a rare and humbling experience.

One moment that truly exemplifies Giana's extraordinary patient care happened during a busy shift when we learned that an 11-year-old patient was being admitted from the emergency department. The child had abnormal lab results and significant pain and was scheduled for a renal biopsy the following day to rule out glomerulonephritis and acute kidney injury. Amid her full assignment, Giana took the initiative to look into the patient's chart and discovered that it was his birthday.

Despite the many demands on her time, Giana made it a priority to celebrate this young patient. She found streamers and decorated the doorway to his room, creating a warm and welcoming space. From the moment he arrived, Giana made sure he felt seen, valued, and celebrated - even in the midst of his discomfort. She engaged with him with genuine warmth and continued to highlight the joy of his birthday, helping lift his spirits through the pain.

But Giana's compassion didn't stop there. She also took the time to gently support and reassure his very nervous parents, helping them feel safe and cared for. Her calm, kind presence made a noticeable difference to them.

At shift change, the entire unit gathered to sing Happy Birthday to the patient. His mother later came out into the hallway with tears in her eyes and said that it was the first time she had seen her son smile in days.

Giana's empathy, thoughtfulness, and ability to go above and beyond in the small moments made a lasting impact on this family - and on all of us who witnessed it. She is a remarkable nurse and a truly deserving candidate for the DAISY Award.