Elsie Vattenky exemplifies the kind of nurse that the patients and families as well as the Nurses, Physicians, and other members of the Interdisciplinary team recognize as an outstanding role model. The following is an example of his/her patient care, highlighting the care and compassion she/he provides every day.

Elsie is a very compassionate nurse who goes above and beyond to take care of her patient. She does not hesitate to communicate with surgeons and anesthesia to address the needs of her patient. She treats each patient in the department as her own and often helps other nurses with their patients and shares her knowledge and experience. She offers her assistance to other nurses without being asked to help and participates in helping a patient in distress. She is quick to assess and implement care sooner rather than later.

Elsie is a great advocate for team-oriented culture. She assists PSA in the morning with IV starts and often says, “I will do what you ask me to do.” It makes me very happy to say that you only have to ask her once. Elise is always willing to work outside of her FTE to help the department.

Even close to retirement, Elsie is very passionate about building the next generation of nurses. She is constantly mentoring and precepting new nurses. I am more than happy to say that she is one of my mentors in the department. Overall, Elsie is a very energetic and compassionate nurse who cares deeply not only for the current state of our department but also for the future state. She sets a great example by championing the changes in the department and her determination shows through the way she cares for her patients, her precepting our new nurses, and her courage to continue to address issues for better patient outcomes.