Audra demonstrates excellent patient care with every patient she cares for. She spends time with each individual patient caring for every one of their needs and spending however much time it takes with the patient to learn about not only the care they want to receive but every aspect of their life. She develops a bond with patients and families that is unmatched and priceless to the patients' experience at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Audra always has a smile on her face and compliments patients' ability to get up and move after what can be such a traumatic cardiac surgery. Patients get healthy quicker under her care due to the loving nature she adds to every aspect of work life.
During the past year, Audra has made a very special connection with more patients and families than I can count. One particular story that always sticks out to me is a patient that we had on our floor and stepdown. Audra cared for this patient for many weeks/months due to a complicated heart transplant and frequent admissions. Audra developed a very special bond with not only the patient but the patient's entire family. It became known how special this patient was to Audra and how special Audra was to this patient. When she was not working, the patient would frequently ask me when she was back on or when she was going to see her again. The days that they spent together were filled with many terrific accomplishments such as getting out of bed and walking in the hall for the first time and taking trips to the healing garden. They spent many moments laughing together, telling stories, and getting to know each other. Audra was her nurse but more importantly, Audra was her friend. There were also bad days and Audra was there to escalate care and truly advocate for her needs in a way that no one else could.
Audra made a very significant difference in this patient's life and unfortunately when she was transferred to the ICU, Audra would continue to visit her during her breaks or after her shift due to constant requests from family and the patient for her to come and see her. When the time came that the patient may ultimately lose her fight with her new heart, Audra was there to say a final goodbye and comfort the family in their worst moment. Audra was able to make such a significant difference that she was invited to the wake and funeral of this patient by the significant other. Audra demonstrated to me and every other nurse on my floor what excellence truly means. I have learned a great deal from Audra, however, her greatest lesson came from her actions rather than her teaching. She demonstrates true compassion on a daily basis and exemplifies what a true nurse stands for. She exemplifies every attribute I associate with a DAISY Nurse.