January 2017
Christy
Cates
,
RN, CMSRN
Renal/Diabetic Medical-Surgical Unit
St. Mary's Medical Center
Evansville
,
IN
United States

 

 

 

Christy Cates is a night shift nurse and has worked here since January 2013. She is currently pursuing her BSN from Capella University. Christy is a leader on her unit and is one of our weekend option night shift Relief Charge Nurses. She comes to work with a positive attitude and is well respected by her peers. She lives the mission, vision, and values and truly exemplifies what it means to be a St. Mary's Magnet Nurse!
As nurses, we often encounter patients who are labeled as "frequent flyers" or "drug seekers." Sometimes it is difficult to see past all of the negativity and we let our biases influence the care we deliver which ultimately affects the patient's experience. I am nominating Christy for the DAISY Award because she is a true patient advocate who is able to see the patient for who they are.
Christy recently cared for a patient who spoke very highly of the care she received. This patient had been in and out of the hospital frequently over the past year. She has a debilitating condition which has led to uncontrolled pain and frequent trips to the hospital. Christy was able to relate to the patient and educate her from her own personal experiences. She took the time to sit down with the patient and educate her on her disease process in a way that the patient could understand.
Christy was also able to explain what could be expected with the upcoming interventions in her plan of care. Christy encouraged the patient to continue with the medical treatment plan. She also advocated for an effective pain management regimen, which she and the other nurses worked diligently to implement. For the first time in months, this patient stated that her pain was at a tolerable level. She also stated that she felt a sense of hope for the first time in a long time.
Christy truly lived out her calling as a nurse and a leader. Her extraordinary act of compassion with this patient is something that Christy does on a daily basis. Her passion for nursing shows in everything she does for our patients, their families, and our associates. Christy is humble, compassionate, professional, caring, and a hard worker. Thank you Christy for going above and beyond, for pushing aside any biases, and for making a difference in this woman's life!We need more nurses like you!