Cindy is a highly skilled, compassionate professional that every nurse she works with would like to emulate. Her passion for excellence is unmatched. She can actually be a bit like a bulldog in her quest to do what is right for her patients. (I mean this is the kindest way). She will present her point using critical thinking skills and the supporting facts, seek out opinions and give suggestions on care needed for her patients. She has no problem disagreeing in a professional manor with an individual if she is certain in her need for specific care for her patient.
She leads by example in her day to day activities, but I would like to relate a specific story. Category 1 traumas present our most critical patients. It also brings multiple disciplines to the room to care for the patient. No less than 12 and often more personnel in the room. Cindy was in charge of documenting the event. One must be highly organized and able to multi task to do this. This patient required intubation, a massive transfusion protocol, multiple x-rays, ct scans, chest tube and so on. 4 nurses were involved. Communication is the key here when assessments are called out, orders given, clarified, and assured completed. I cannot begin to describe the amount of information that needs to be documented. On this day, a video on "how to run a trauma" could have been filmed. Cindy was able to use specific closed loop communication to assure tasks were complete, that all routine details were addressed, and still be able to remind the attending it was time for lab redraw at end of round one of massive transfusion protocol. My most favorite moment was when the attending asked if an antibiotic he ordered had been given and she replied in a succinct manor, "Did I repeat the order back to you?" and he smiled and said no. She said calmly "Then it did not get done. What would you like?" He smiled again and gave the order.
Cindy is frequently asked to orient new employees, especially those new graduates. She first familiarizes them to the flow of the department and the expectations in general. Then you can see when she starts her challenges with them, increasing their exposure to more critical patients, to more critical thinking and how to manage their range of patients. When these nurses are off orientation you can be assured that they have been exposed to every opportunity available to be successful in our specialty.
Cindy is also a great resource regarding the legal aspect of nursing care and patient advocacy. She headed our SANE program for many years. She is very in tune to domestic violence issues and can be counted to be a sounding board in how to deal with sensitive situations. As part of SANE in the past she has been in court on the stand and can attest to the need for accurate documentation and how poor documentation can be interpreted.
Cindy is a consummate professional when interacting with patients. One of the things that she is outstanding at is helping the patient recognize how they may have contributed to the problem at hand, holding them accountable for behavior that has led to their problem. She is kind, yet finds a way to get the patient to see how their choices have negatively impacted their own care. She then teaches them about how they can help themselves to improve their health. Her patients always seem to adore her!
Last but, not least, Cindy has arranged for multiple interesting lectures. She has many connections within the local legal system that has given us up to date information regarding topics that interact with healthcare.
I love it when Cindy is my partner in our assignments. I know I can count on her great wealth of knowledge, her compassionate heart, her sense of humor, and her willingness to help any who need it. In short, I know it will be a great day. She is a true DAISY Nurse.