Andrew O'Day
June 2026
Andrew
O'Day
,
BSN, RN
OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital
Columbus
,
OH
United States
Despite moving to his position as charge nurse, where he would normally have no patients, Andrew decided to stay with me as I figured out my discharge and advocated for my return home, while providing a professional, rational, and compassionate perspective to my mother and me.
We are so grateful to Andrew for the care and special attention to my husband. The way Andrew talked to him was as though he was his own grandfather. He always took his time to care for my husband and provided very helpful explanations to him, me, and our family for future procedures at home. Andrew's positive, friendly demeanor encouraged us that we would be able to give proper home care and that my husband would recuperate as hoped. Andrew honored the dignity and worth of his patient.

***

I am a young girl who was hospitalized for a week due to severe problems. Throughout my one-week stay, my tube became dislodged, I got a long-term line placed, and I started my TPN journey --- all difficult challenges physically as well as emotionally. I had Andrew as my nurse on the day of my discharge, and the day prior - according to a rough estimate. As I suffered from severe pain and nausea, he checked in frequently and retrieved my PRN medication as soon as possible. Aside from this, he expressed sympathy for my pain, understanding of it, and a level of empathy patients don't often see from busy and exhausted staff. Rather than going through the motions of scanning my band, confirming my information, scanning the med, and drawing it up -- Andrew listened and advocated, not like a professional, but like a friend. I took a peek and noticed that he has 5+ years of service; despite that, his excitement and empathy may give one the impression that he has just finished school and begun pursuing his passion.

On the day of my discharge, there was great confusion between me, my social worker, my home health company, and my infusion pharmacy; a confusion that was heading down the path of an extended two days of hospitalization. Through this confusion was also great frustration. My mother and I were unfamiliar with the reason for the delay, and it seemed that no one was listening to us. Despite moving to his position as charge nurse, where he would normally have no patients, Andrew decided to stay with me as I figured out my discharge and advocated for my return home, while providing a professional, rational, and compassionate perspective to my mother and me. He stayed in the room for 15 minutes while my mother and I spoke on the phone with the home health liaison, who helped us understand what her vernacular meant and what that meant for me. After some serious self-advocating, Andrew stated that I would be an excellent lawyer—unbeknownst to him, that is my dream. I will never forget his kindness or his words, and I will fight through school in spite of my illnesses because one day I want to achieve my dream, be great, and feel the gratitude of knowing I could never have done it without people like him.