Earl Jed Solante, BSN, RN, GERO-BC, MEDSURG-BC

When I first met Earl, I was hospitalized at IMVH. Earl is a nurse there, and it happened that I was working on it, and for some reason, my mouse started to freeze. My daughter took the chance that a nurse might be kind enough to briefly loan us a mouse and approached the front desk. It seemed like a long shot; however, Earl cheerfully agreed to let me use a mouse, allowing me to complete my report. We had never met each other until then, and Earl was not even my assigned nurse.

Earl certainly went above and beyond in my opinion. I was working on a payroll report for my job that had a deadline the next day. I was very grateful I was able to get the job done.

It happened that Earl was assigned to be my nurse. I was in a lot of pain. I actually felt that I could not take on anymore when the nurses needed me to flip over in bed so that they could change everything. When I was asked to turn to Earl’s side, he began to sing and suggested that I think of the ocean and breathe deeply to help with the pain. I felt very comforted as Earl patted me on the back. I took note of Earl’s compassion towards me in that awful moment. I felt that I was being nurtured.

Earl always peeps in before he comes to greet me. He always makes me feel special! I am sure Earl has received the nurses report as I can hear them just outside of my door yet, Earl comes in cheerfully asking me how I am doing. He asks how my night was and remembers my choices and preferences for things. I believe that Earl demonstrates that he really cares for his patients. Earl cares to make and foster relationships!

I would add that the nurses are good at Inova; however, Earl’s care just stood above those assigned to me, as it was memorable.

After I was discharged, unfortunately, I had to return to Inova due to an infection in my knee. I had hoped Earl would be on the floor I was assigned to, but he was not. Surprisingly, I was transferred a few days later to the same floor where Earl was working. I was happy to know I would be in Earl’s care!

Here is another example of how Earl proved that he could take ownership and solve a problem. I had become dehydrated but only had a PICC line, and that line was being used to administer antibiotics that run for 3 hours. I needed to have an additional line for the fluids my doctor had ordered; however, my nurse advised that it was impossible. I was like a wilted flower.

When Earl began his shift as my nurse, I explained the problem. Earl said that he had a possible solution. Earl took ownership and fixed the problem. Earl did not want to know who the other nurse was; that is integrity. Instead, Earl returned with a second pump, and I was able to get the fluids that I needed.

Earl said he likes positive vibes, and positive may as well be Earl’s middle name. Earl is always singing a few lines here or there, and he always wants to make his patients smile, and when you do, Earl smiles too. Positive vibes go a long way in the healing journey

After one of the moments when I felt that Earl had gone above and beyond the call of duty in his care, I told Earl that I was going to nominate him for the DAISY Award. My niece had just received a DAISY, and I felt Earl deserved one as well. Earl responded, "Let's take care of you first. I'll be here for three days and can give you the paper then." Wow! The patient really does come first with Earl.

I expected Earl to go grab a form right away, but true to his work, at the very end of his shift, three days later, he presented me with the paper.

Earl is well deserving of the DAISY Award in my opinion. I can say, having stayed more than a month in this hospital (and that is just one of my stays), that I can make honest comparisons. Please know that my care was never substandard by any of the nurses; however, Earl demonstrated competent, consistent, professional, above-and-beyond care on every occasion. I was blessed to have him as my nurse.