After 14 hours in the ER and ER Observation due to a never-before-had episode of AFib, I was taken up to the 7th floor (East) to spend the night before receiving cardioversion the next morning. When I arrived at my room, Brittany was waiting for both me and my wife; she greeted us warmly in the room and helped us get settled. Now that, in and of itself, might not be worthy of a DAISY Award - it’s probably expected. But throughout my health travels the past several years, I’ve not encountered a welcome quite like this one.

Yes, the room was clean, as would be expected. But it was all the little things that Brittany had done in the two hours while she anticipated my arrival upstairs: paperwork was laid out to be read, the dry-erase board was completely filled out, and everything was in place for my overnight stay, including extra pillows and blankets. More than anything, my wife and I discussed our sense that Brittany was clearly in charge - we were in a room on her watch, and I was her patient, and she was going to ensure I was cared for during her time with me.

Once we were settled and had gone through all the initial vitals and meds, Brittany continued to discuss how things might progress during my stay. And then, when my wife went home to grab items for an overnight stay, Brittany ensured I had my meal handled and even took some time to just stand in the doorway and chat with me as I ate. It meant a lot, as I sat there with my 140+ heart rate and uncertainties about why it was occurring and how the upcoming cardioversion would handle things.

Brittany’s shift ended only five hours after I was placed in the room, but in those five hours, I felt cared for at a level I feel is deserving of recognition. All nurses are good - they have to be, as they’re the ones who get the patients home - but Brittany’s attitude and efforts were great. I very much appreciated my time in her care.