Working with dual diagnosis patients can be challenging and it requires intimate knowledge of both addiction and the overlapping mental illness. In her role as a staff nurse, and now as a clinician, Cassie demonstrates this unique set of nursing skills, modeling them for both new and seasoned staff. Recently, the acuity on the 10th floor was high, with several patients escalating. While Cassie was training me to be charge nurse, she modeled how to quickly intervene and deescalate the agitated patients, while also managing the rest of the patients on the unit. She used her excellent communication skills, and staff rapport to delegate different responsibilities so that all available staff were doing a job that benefited the safety of staff and patients on the unit. She managed this situation efficiently, and in the least restrictive way possible. Patient safety and care was the forefront of her critical thinking, and she managed this crisis situation without any patients needing seclusion or restraint. All of the dual diagnosis staff feel safe, and respected when Cassie is in charge, and this is a prime example of the kind of nurse that she is. Not only did Cassie manage this situation in an amazing way, but she was also able to teach a newly training charge nurse how to prioritize and delegate during a crisis. After the agitated patients were given some time to calm down, each patient mentioned that they were happy the situation was handled the way that it was. One patient was even grateful that Cassie had intervened, fearing that if Cassie had not, the patient may have done something she would have regretted. Cassie uses a direct, but compassionate approach with every patient on the unit, and she's a shining example of how a dual diagnosis nurse should conduct themselves.
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Cassie consistently demonstrates extraordinary clinical skills and compassionate care on our unit. She was recently injured at work when she placed herself in harm's way while a patient was escalated to protect the safety of others. She always runs towards crisis situations to help in any way she can and often does walk-throughs or calls to check on the unit to see if staff needs support. She has helped me personally get clarity on a situation where I was pulled to an unfamiliar unit as a newer staff member. Cassie contacted the staffing manager and advocated for me to work on a unit where my training was sufficient.
Cassie always treats patients and coworkers with dignity and respect. Her de-escalation skills are admirable, and I have witnessed her actively listen to countless agitated patients and talk them down from becoming violent. She is kind and sincere with patients and sets realistic boundaries and expectations that help them navigate treatment while in the hospital.
She truly cares about her coworkers and has offered to drive us to our cars on her break numerous times during inclement weather, so we don't have to wait for the shuttle. She also brings in coffee and various treats when we are having more stressful days.
Cassie is a model for responsibility and integrity and I am always impressed with how she carries herself and handles stressful situations. I cannot think of a nurse more deserving of recognition for her fabulous work performance and ability to make a meaningful difference both as a provider of care and a coworker.
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I don't even know where to begin with describing the clinical excellence that is irrefutably observable in Cassie's daily functions within UPMC's Western Psychiatric Hospital (WPH). In an attempt to provide an adequate description, I will start with a narrative. It was about 4 years ago that I started on my unit, I met this young woman working as an SNA and in nursing school; I noticed that she was very dedicated to her profession and ability to provide excellent care to the 10th floor patients. At the time I had not realized how much of an impact this woman, Cassie, would have on my professional and personal development. She worked mostly night shifts, so I didn't work with her very much at the beginning of my time here at WPH. She finished nursing school and got an RN around the same time that I got my bachelor's degree. She became a nurse and I became a Milieu Therapist on our unit. We started to spend more time together both at work and in our personal lives. I have always been an ambitious person and appreciate others who are ambitious as well. Cassie motivates others around her to achieve their best by providing nurturing support and feedback. Cassie has excelled as a leader on my unit. ALL unit staff respects Cassie to the utmost degree because she models and exudes the definitions of UPMC's core values daily in her interactions with patients and other unit staff. Cassie cares and listens to her patients; at one point there were multiple patients who did not have ANY visitors to bring them some personal care items and clothing, so she bought some hygiene items (top brand at that) and donated some clothes from her home to assist these clients in feeling more comfortable on the unit. She also continues to replenish the donation closet with hygiene items and clothing for those who present need. She takes responsibility for optimizing psychiatric care on our unit by treating patients with integrity and respect in every interaction (including interactions that are of high intensity in the context of a crisis). Cassie takes the time to meet with patients individually and meet patients at their level of need to appropriately provide mental health services. She advocates for diverse clients and educates unit staff on providing multicultural care. Another thing that I have noticed about Cassie is that she is open to expanding her understanding of clients that present diverse needs and welcomes feedback and education on topics to which she has not previously been exposed.
On hectic days, Cassie's main concern is for our patients' safety and coworkers' safety. She will sit on the west wing in high volume situations to ensure that the unit is safe and provide continual support for patients and staff. She boosts unit morale by incorporating unit staff opinions into decision making. A few months ago, she purchased gift baskets and facilitated a unit drawing. She respects her patients' agency in their treatment. She provides excellent care by brainstorming ways to innovate psychiatric treatment provided on the unit. Cassie advocated for the primary nursing model of care in that this would improve patients' outcomes by establishing more individual time for unit therapists to dedicate to their patients while highlighting the importance of continuity of care. As Cassie excels as a leader she is humbled by maintaining a quality of care at the forefront of each day. Cassie's dedication to UPMC's core values is inspirational. She provides the utmost compassionate care to ALL clients and is motivated to make a difference in the lives of mental health patients in the field of inpatient psychiatry.
My friendship and professional interactions with Cassie reinforce and empower my skills as a counselor-in-training. I am grateful to work so closely with Cassie on my unit and look up to the amount of dedication she places on her position in UPMC's WPH. This woman is a critical aspect of the operations and efficacy of our psychiatric unit. Cassie is a true DAISY Nurse for the amount of energy and time she devotes to her position in the hospital.