I was in charge one day when the mother of one of our patients pulled me aside and told me she really needed to talk to me about her nurse. I wondered what might have happened and went to the room to speak with the mother. She was somewhat upset, with tears welling in her eyes. She spoke to me about how difficult it was to care for her son, and how he has had multiple admissions to the hospital over the course of his life. She described how her son, who is a very strong teenage boy who struggles with severe autism, was often terrified of staff and would act out, sometimes violently toward staff. She feared to leave him alone and told me how stressful it was to be with him 24 hours a day in the confinement of the hospital room.
The patient's mother then went on to speak of how nurse Alex, who had cared for her child for several days, was simply the best nurse to have ever cared for them. While her child had always received good care from other nurses, she described Alex as "a blessing from God" who took the time to hold her son's hand and talk with him gently. Alex took the time to patiently wait until he was ready to do cares or take medication. When his mom needed a break, she felt that she could really trust Alex to be there, without fear of him acting out or feeling terrified. Her son, with his limited communication skills, would ask for Alex hours after her shift had ended, and would light up with joy when she returned to care for him. He even gave hugs to her. The patient's mother also told me what a blessing it was to have Alex caring for them, "She was taking care of me too!"
Alex cares for her patients with great tenderness and grace. Her bubbly laugh and commitment to great family-centered care often smooth over the frazzled nerves of exhausted parents. It is with great admiration I recommend Alex for the DAISY Award in recognition for her outstanding work.