When you hear the words leader, patient advocate, companion, asset, loyal, humble, successful, hopeful, gentle, responsible, hardworking, mannerly, authentic, and adaptable, who comes to your mind? As I type these words, I can only think of one person. I have worked with Candy for almost seven years. At first, I was intimidated by her gentleness and humbled mindset, only because I wanted to be more like her.

A boss and a leader are two very different categories. Anyone can be a boss. Anyone can sit in a chair and tell you like it is or how it is going to be. Anyone can be proud of their authority and power. An effective leader encourages growth of other team members and focuses on developing others for their career goals and success. An effective leader is flexible, inspiring, authentic, self-aware, and open-minded. An effective leader is effective in cross-cultural communication. Candy is stern. Her leadership skills and personal characteristics have been the glue to the unit throughout the years. Candy does not belittle any team member. From being a new graduate nurse, CNA, BHT, working in EVS, etc. Each person and job role have a purpose and is just as important as the Provider, and that is the way she sees it. Every individual who has worked with her feels valued and needed.

Most of the time the unit is busy and we are short-staffed. Candy does not hesitate to jump in. Candy takes on multiple job roles every shift she works. Candy is a shift leader, RN. Candy could say she is busy with other things, but if she sees her fellow co-workers needing a hand, she jumps right in. She does not care to help tech, or even help EVS clean beds, while still managing her assigned daily tasks and patient responsibly.

Candy is a patient advocate. She goes above and beyond for her patients. I have seen Candy walk to her car and retrieve clothing for patients who have nothing. I have seen Candy push patients to achieve their set daily goals, while coaching and cheering them along the way. Candy always has extra time for her patients, whether it be to help them with a phone call, watch them do a magic trick, share a joke, or sit in the dayroom and listen to the patient read a poem they have written. Candy's compassionate, hopeful, gentle, authentic attitude allows her to build a rapport with most of our patients. The patient population we serve can be stressful. Candy always sees our patients on their best days. Candy never lets a rude comment or bad attitude ruin her day. She never treats a patient differently despite the way they may treat her. Candy always treats our patients with respect and genuine love. Candy is loyal to her patients and team members hospital-wide.

Candy will help where and when she can. Candy is an asset to our hospital. She is authentic in her work and she is proud of her patients' and team members' success. Candy is responsible and reliable. I have seen her come and work a shift, after being in the emergency room all night, for an allergic reaction. When Candy arrived at work that morning, her lip and face were terribly swollen, and she was in pain! She completed her daily assignments, helped tech, and even de-escalated an agitated patient. Candy did all these things, brushing aside her pain, to help her patients and team members.

I truly believe if anyone is a DAISY Nurse, it is Candy. The words I have typed cannot even describe what she is truly like. I could type multiple concrete examples, but I would be typing about an event from every single shift I have worked with her. Candy is extraordinary in all that she does. Candy has never looked down on any team member or patient for their past, career title, home life, etc. Candy is exceptional in her job role and the roles she takes on to help. Her laugh and smile have helped a lot of her coworkers through their own difficult times. I, myself, am a concrete example. Her ability to understand others and effectively communicate, both verbally and non-verbally, with her humbled spirit and gentleness has helped the hospital throughout the years avoid a lot of patient outbursts. The patients respond to her in such a positive way I may never understand. Candy is a member of TMAP (Team Member Appreciation and Planning Committee). She is dedicated to helping team members feel valued and needed. Candy has spent her own income to surprise team members with grieving baskets due to a loss, weddings, baby showers for team members, and BHT of the month award. Candy bought cupcakes and small gifts for every unit, including day and night shift, when our new EPIC system rolled out here in the hospital because she knew it would be a stressful time while our team members were learning the new process. Candy serves a broken, tense population. She has hope for every single patient she meets. Candy is loyal. She respects and is mannerly towards every patient. She is a companion for her patients if needed. Candy takes pride in her work and does it to the best of her ability. She is responsible and dependable in all matters. Candy is the definition of a patient advocate. She is successful because she wants others to be successful. Candy is adaptable because she understands all job roles are equally important. I truly hope the minimal examples will give you some insight into who Candy is and why she is a true DAISY Nurse.