Carolyn Grant, MSN-Ed, RN, CMSRN, GERO-BC

Nomination #1:

Carolyn Grant's professionalism and grace have inspired me as a new grad nurse since we first met in 2021 (I was at a different hospital at that time.) She is one of the nurses I would watch and think: I want to be like that. She is apparently unflappable(!)-- calm and collected no matter what situation might present itself; her knowledge and competency seem boundless.

I have so many visions of Carolyn in action: gowned up and helping to stabilize a patient who was bleeding out before they could transfer off the unit; soothing a disoriented and agitated patient by combing her hair and speaking softly to her; racing down the hall to Wright-Saunders for an RRT call; coming to the bedside to place an ultrasound guided IV when our other efforts have failed; receiving nurses and staff in her office with a smile and full presence to hear our concerns, great or small.

Carolyn's skill set is vast and her graciousness as a team leader, stepping in wherever she is needed, never falters. Beyond the hands on assistance she provides daily, Carolyn continually encourages us to stretch and grow into the best nurses we can be.

Whether she is helping us "remember the basics" or guiding us through new uncharted territory, Carolyn leads with grace and good humor. She is unwavering in her commitment to helping staff provide the best patient care possible.

Because of Carolyn's invitation and persistent encouragement (for over 2 years!) I am grateful and proud to have become a Penn Nurse and PPMC ACE team member last October. In the six months I have been at ACE, I have received more guidance and support for my practice than I ever experienced in 4 years at my former hospital.

I see myself growing stronger, happier and more confident each day, in large part due to my increasing realization and trust that Carolyn truly has my back and is sincerely invested in helping me (and all of us!) succeed. I cannot explain how much this means to me!

Carolyn is hardworking, honest, knowledgeable, and somehow maintains a sense of humor and kindness through each day. Her heart is full of compassion and we are so very lucky to have her! Carolyn is by far the most extraordinary nurse leader I have ever known.

We ACE nurses would love for her to be recognized for all that she does. Thank you for your consideration.

Nomination #2:

Excellent teacher and resource! She helped me with charting restraints when I had questions, she helped me to understand the new insulin scanning policy, she was always available during Magnet visits to help us prepare, she is an empathetic listener and jumps in to help whenever she can.

Yesterday she was looking at a wound on my patient and ended up doing an extensive dressing change and incontinence care despite having many other things to do. She always has an open office door and a kind attitude to discuss issues, provide feedback, or just be a shoulder to lean on.

Recently we had an ethics concern and Carolyn was there to assist with policies and logistics and to just listen as needed. I know I am not the only RN to have gone to her for help.

I would love to recognize her in this way!

Nomination #3:

Carolyn consistently goes above and beyond in her support of our floor, nurses, and CNAs. Even on her days off, she makes herself readily available to assist with any needs that arise, demonstrating an exceptional level of dedication and commitment.

We often joke that she is the hardest worker we know, but there is genuine truth behind that statement. On her days off, Carolyn continues her work as a floor nurse at her PRN position, further strengthening her clinical expertise.

As an educator, this is especially valuable, as she not only maintains up-to-date knowledge of policies and procedures but actively applies them through hands-on patient care. This continued clinical involvement allows her to lead with credibility, experience, and confidence.

Carolyn exemplifies true leadership. She is kind, patient, and considerate, and she consistently meets staff where they are, offering support, guidance, and encouragement.

Her professionalism, work ethic, and genuine care for others do not go unnoticed. We deeply appreciate everything Carolyn does for our team, and she is truly deserving of recognition for her leadership and dedication.

WE LOVE YOU CAROLYN!

Nomination #4:

Carolyn is an exceptional nurse and leader. She is not only our clinical nurse educator on Scheie 3 (ACE), but one of the most compassionate people I've ever met.

Carolyn is the busiest person on our unit on any given day, whether that is running between meetings, handling all of the administrative responsibilities involved in being our clinical educator, being present for nursing rounds, placing USGIV's, assisting in rapid responses/codes (sometimes not even on our unit), and always listening to anyone's story or life update who pops into her doorway.

Carolyn, even with all responsibilities she has, has an open door policy and is always willing to listen and teach without judgement, she has created an environment of mutual respect that feels safe for all staff.

Carolyn makes the ACE unit an incredible place to learn and grow in our profession. She is always encouraging us to advance our education, whether that is going to a seminar on delirium, attending nursing conferences, getting involved in PPMC committees, or going back to school if that is a goal someone has.

She talks to us about our actual lives outside of the hospital walls and wants the best for us, she has created an environment of trust and compassion.

Carolyn makes the staff feel safe when she is there, like if anything were to go downhill we know she will be in the room helping us with whatever she can.

She has helped me specifically in an airway emergency turned code which ended with a good outcome and transfer to ICU. Carolyn also helped me in another separate rapid response with a patient in respiratory distress with severe anxiety, helping me get labs, finding the very specific equipment we needed given the situation at hand, and helping me manage stressed staff members while trying to keep my patient calm; this patient was also successfully helped through a very trying situation and safely transferred to the ICU.

Carolyn absolutely demonstrates professionalism, kindness, and ethical decision making and passes those traits and her knowledge to her staff on ACE.

She is a champion for safe nursing practice and patient safety, always encouraging us to speak up and advocate for our patients, and is always encouraging us to achieve better outcomes as a unit.

Carolyn created a culture of honesty, accountability, safe nursing practice, and nonjudgemental attitudes. She is a perfect example of the excellent Penn Medicine staff and I can't think of anyone else who deserves this more.