Breanna
Brinkman
September 2024
Breanna
Brinkman
,
BSN, RN, RNC-OB
Sanford Medical Center - Fargo
Fargo
,
ND
United States
Her weekly calls provide much-needed support, improving both new nurses' retention and their sense of belonging.
I am honored to nominate my coworker and mentor, Breanna Brinkman, for the Nurse Educator Daisy Award. Since stepping into her role, Breanna has made significant contributions, not only to our unit but also to the LEAD Center team. Breanna is a true go-getter, always eager to embrace challenges and offer her support wherever it's needed. Her initiative was evident when she began attending the Unit-Based Council, where her exceptional work has had a profound impact. With Breanna's leadership, team members' ideas and proposals quickly became a reality. She consistently brings a notebook and pen to every meeting and follows through meticulously on all initiatives. In addition to her organizational skills, Breanna is an incredible source of knowledge. She is our go-to person for any educational questions, able to quickly locate resources and cite policies to ensure best practices.

One of Breanna's most impactful contributions has been the phone call check-ins she implemented with new nurses after they complete their orientation. Her weekly calls provide much-needed support, improving both new nurses' retention and their sense of belonging. Breanna is not afraid to provide constructive feedback to help new nurses grow and learn. She is always flexible and embraces change by teaching current topics and updating her content to meet new guidelines. Breanna has also created a dedicated LAUNCH course that covers unit-specific EPIC documentation, patient care information, unit norms, and essential skills. This course has been instrumental in preparing new nurses for the unique challenges of care.

Beyond her work on the unit, Breanna plays a vital role in the LEAD center team. As president of the LEAD Unit-Based Council and event planner, she has led significant initiatives, including managing the marketing team for the annual nursing symposium. She has planned numerous events to support team bonding both inside and outside of work. Breanna has even organized a volunteer event to help get LEAD team members involved in helping the community. Her passion for education and her commitment to helping others are evident in every role she takes on. Breanna has also taken a significant role in the Annual Report, where she recognizes members of the LEAD team for all of the work they put in throughout the year. I feel truly blessed to be mentored by someone as passionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated as Breanna. She is an inspiring educator, leader, and advocate, and I wholeheartedly support her nomination for the DAISY Award. Breanna is compassionate, hardworking, leads by example, and embraces change. She is constantly learning, adapting, and educating those around her.