Ellen Reggiani is the Behavioral Health Admission Nurse. The Central Evaluation Unit, CER,at Boonton Campus is one of the busiest portals of entry into the hospital's Behavioral Health Inpatient services and it is where Ellen Reggiani can be found performing her duties as Behavioral Health Admission Nurse with vigor, passion and dedication. Ellen deals effectively with interpersonal conflict and stimulates the staff to work collaboratively in the interest of service to our patients. Last month, Ellen observed a women upset and questioned how she could help. The women said she was distressed over her husband's discharge from Alcohol Chemical Dependency Unit. Ellen listened to the wife's concerns and walked her down to the unit. When they arrived on the unit Ellen observed the husband's presentation was unusual; it appeared he had an altered mental status. Ellen discussed the situation with the On-Call Physician and it was decided the gentleman would be sent over to the Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

Ellen is not only a DAISY nurse while at work but even outside of work. On her way to work recently Ellen observed an elderly woman approach the car in front of her. She thought it strange when the car sped past and the women backed off, looking dazed. Ellen pulled over and inquired if she were okay. The women explained she was lost and looking for her family. It was then Ellen realized she was disoriented to time and place and encouraged her to get into her car where she could drive her down the road to the hospital and assist her in locating her family. Ellen gently probed to discover the women had been missing for many hours and her family was extremely upset by her absence. The husband explained his wife had advanced Alzheimer Disease but had not wandered off before. He expressed his gratitude for Ellen's compassionate and unselfish act in taking care of his wife and removing her from harm's way.