When their 19-month-old son needed to be hospitalized, the patient's family felt helpless and scared. Dana did her best to comfort them during their stay and her efforts impacted the family. "Dana always seemed to be smiling and made us feel like we were the only family she had to care for during her shift," says the family.
From making accommodations for the family, to staying with their son in his room each night, to noticing small improvements in his condition and helping him reach his discharge goals, Dana really made a difference to the family during their stay. The family appreciated Dana's genuine interest in their son and his well-being, as well as her calming and professional demeanor. "All of the nursing staff made us feel at ease," says the family. "Dana stood out to us in particular."
Dana was surprised to receive the DAISY Award. "To find out that I was able to touch a family in such a way is an amazing feeling," says Dana. "Our littlest patients were not always the population I was most comfortable with when I started on Neuro/Pediatrics/Trauma, but they have become some of my favorite people to care for, especially after working with families like this family." Dana loves the variety of experiences she has while working in Neuro/Pediatrics/Trauma. She especially enjoys working with pediatric patients and their families, recognizing how difficult and stressful hospitalization can be for a family. "The family handled this challenging situation with such grace. They were wonderful to care for and work with," says Dana. "Thank you to his family for the nomination; it is a gift I will cherish throughout my nursing career."