David Skip Reese

Skip frequently announces to everyone around him that he loves being a nurse.  It is a wonderful thing to hear because so often nurses don’t appreciate all the good that comes with being a nurse, much less announce it.  I think Skip loves being a nurse because his compassion and ability to connect with his patients makes a difference, he knows this and so do his patients.  Frequently Skip is assigned to patients who have been deemed “difficult” or “dissatisfied.” This is because he has a gift of being able to perceive the real needs of his patients, whether they are psychological, spiritual or physiological.  His attentiveness, ability to advocate for his patients, and excellent clinical skills make him the nurse that you would want to have taking care of your loved one. 

Recently Skip cared for an elderly woman in the PACU.  On admission to the PACU Skip realized the patient was in a bundle branch block which rapidly deteriorated into v-tach.  This was a medical emergency. Skip along with anesthesia and other PACU nurses quickly worked together to care for this patient.  Skip observed changes on the patients EKG which eventually led to the diagnosis of heart attack.  All the while, Skip comforted his patient by explaining to her what was happening.  He used AIDET , especially the “I” to explain everyone’s medical background and competence.  This helped his patient to trust the health care providers surrounding her bed.  Skip knew that his patient was frightened so he stayed with her and talked to her.  He reassured her that she was in the right place for this heart attack to have happened and that she had the best health care providers caring for her.  Skip helped transport his patient to the CCU where he again used AIDET and comforted the patient’s family.  I often receive thank you notes from grateful patients and families.  Skip is most often mentioned in these notes. 

Besides being an excellent nurse, Skip is actively engaged in the PACU.  He is Chair of the PACU Reward and Recognition Committee, is an RN4, charge nurse, certified in perianesthesia nursing, Magnet representative and a mentor / preceptor for student nurses.  Skip makes a positive difference in our PACU and I highly recommend him for The DAISY Award.