"Hi, my name is Emily, and I have brown hair and a dog." That’s what we heard when Emily had to introduce herself in front of a group, and it’s so perfectly Emily that this Daily Educator nomination needed to start with a perfect Emily statement. Emily Long is the Nurse Education Safety Specialist for both the acute and critical care float pool nurses. She is smart, kind, and exceptionally awkward! She knows this, though, and it’s one of the things we love about her!! Regardless, she is such an incredible asset to UMass and should be recognized in public for all to witness! What shade of red will Emily be if she is honored with the award?

Every single day, she comes in and asks what I need and whether I tell her I don't need anything or I tell her I just hired 5 more nurses for the CCFP. She just giggles and rolls with it. Emily checks in with the orientee nurses multiple times every week, and also makes sure to visit the existing staff on their assigned units every day.

On 3 Lakeside Stepdown we’ve gone through many periods of time without a NESS, and Emily is always there to help. She does their iStat recertifications with any staff, and just recently, she came multiple times throughout the day to help a nurse with peritoneal dialysis; not because Stepdown is her area, but because she’s Emily and not only is she a brilliant nurse but she’s an amazing human being.

Emily has touched many managers in the critical care areas, and here are statements about Emily: Emily has helped us to onboard all the new hires and new grads in 3 ICUs over the past year. She attended new grad meetings and helped with some challenging orientations. She has kept 3 ICU on track with new hires and new grads for the past year. She has been present on the unit to help with anything we ask of her (like I-stat or Blood Sugar recerts) and she is ALWAYS willing to help. She even comes to 2 LS ICU to help me with last minute things that come up. She is always positive and helpful, and she does it with a smile.

Emily has gone above and beyond in her role at the CCFP NESS. She is organized and actively involved in educating the float pool. Her presence in 7 ICU has not gone unnoticed, as staff will typically grab her for a question or ask for help. Despite the fact that she was up on the unit checking on the float pool, she still takes the time to help any staff member who is in need. Emily has proved to be a valuable resource for the float pool, and it is evident that they appreciate her support. In addition to her main role as the CCFP/Acute Care NESS, Emily has helped out the other units that are without an educator. Emily has positively impacted many nurses not only in the float pools but throughout UMass and is deserving of The DAISY Nurse Educator Award. Emily’s knowledge, ability to educate, and compassion are helping to shape the future of the nursing workforce at UMass.

Emily is honestly one in a million. She comes by my office every day and asks if there is anything she can do for me or the staff. It has been very challenging not having a NESS but I know I can count on Emily. A perfect example I can share happened just last week. Emily asked what a good time would be to come up to the unit to have an in service on the MRI pumps with the staff. I feel Emily always goes above and beyond and is such an asset to UMASS.

In summary, Emily embodies the attributes of a DAISY Nurse. She shows kindness and patience, listens to understand our needs as well as the staff’s needs, and is the epitome of a team player.