During our last clinical together, Ashton performed beyond any objective or expectation that I could have had for her. This was not just in the amazing way she jumped in without hesitation to be an active part of the code team, but the care and compassion she had for her patient and their family after her passing. She was meticulous in her postmortem care of the patient and insisted on being with the patient until they were transported off the unit. 

The patient’s family was so touched by her care and her efforts that day for their loved one, and I know I was as well. 

I am so proud of you Ashton, and you are most deserving of this award. 

***

When I (instructor) arrived in the Medical Intensive Care Unit on Friday morning, I was discussing with the charge nurse what patients I wanted for my students for the day. I try to look over the clinical skills and objectives of each student and then match them with patient opportunities for the day. The charge nurse told me there was a patient who had just coded and would likely do so again, and asked if I had a student who would be able to help, assist and be able to work well with this assigned nurse's personality. I thought for a split second about not assigning a student to that situation but realized that this particular nursing student was up for the challenge. When I met the student in the room that morning, they were helping the nurse to clean up from the previous round of resuscitation measures that had just ensued. While in the room, talking with the student about the patient, the student alerted us that the pressures were starting to fall again even before any of the monitors did. The student got on the stool, and immediately started compressions as soon as we lost the pulse, the primary nurse started bagging and working on adjusting the pressors. The student did compressions with accuracy, never missing a beat. When they traded out, the student would prep meds and flushes and would display closed-loop communication when the epinephrine or sodium bicarbonate was in so it could be recorded accurately. I could not have been prouder of my student and their performance during that code. The student did everything so perfectly that it almost felt like they were a seasoned ICU nurse, not a student. The doctor actually commended the student on the amazing performance. Even after the code was over and the patient expired, the student continued to provide care for the patient and the family. The primary nurse needed to go check on her other assigned patient who she had not seen the entire shift yet, and asked if we could stay and help with the postmortem care. Of course, my student did not hesitate. The student worked so hard to clean the room, even cleaning up the floor, bedrails, etc. so the family would not have to see the blood and body fluids when they came to see the patient for the last time. I was so impressed with the student's interactions with the family as well. The student provided support, helping them to have the best possible last minutes with their loved one. The student even accompanied the patient to the morgue and took ownership and responsibility for the patient to the end. This student’s care was not only skillful and technically executed that day, but the care and compassion were as well. This student embodies what the DAISY in Training Award is all about.