Erik Kastner's colleagues and family members at DAISY Celebration
June 2024
Erik
Kastner
,
RN
Telemetry Unit - N4
Hospital of Central Connecticut
New Britain
,
CT
United States
Patients and families asked for Erik by name. He was easy to get along with and talked to the patients as if they were his family. He worked well with everyone. There wasn’t anyone that didn’t like him.
Erik Kastner, RN from N4 passed away earlier in 2024. The DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses was presented to his family during a Celebration of Life on his unit. Erik spent so much time caring for our patients and his coworkers, and it was a wonderful time for his family to meet all those he spent so much time with. He is truly missed by our organization and family. Please accept this posthumous nomination for Erik Kastner, N4 RN. This nomination comes from a combination of individuals who knew Erik and feel strongly about this recognition for Erik.
I knew Erik as a new graduate as he started his career on N4. He was very energetic and eager to learn. He was open to feedback and quickly adjusted to ensure his success as a new nurse. He worked during COVID-19, flexed his hours, and was always looking to help his co-workers and peers. In the manager role, there were times that I even called on Erik to help staff my unit, and he frequently came to the rescue.
His peers say of him:
I worked with Erik Kastner as the CRL on N4. He was a staff nurse on the unit during this time. Erik was always kind, extremely motivated, and always willing to lend a hand. Whenever asked to support his team with an extra shift or to switch an assignment, Erik would jump to the request without hesitation to help the unit. Erik had a positive attitude throughout his shifts and loved to be a part of the N4 team. Erik demonstrated his leadership skills as a charge nurse and a preceptor to new nurses. He would collaborate with his leaders and utilize his leadership skills to address concerns. When his peers needed support during their shifts, Erik offered to help take on some tasks to improve their shifts. When caring for his patients, Erik demonstrated individualized care for each of his patients and would quickly respond to their needs or requests.
Another peer wanted this to be known of him:
All of the patients loved Erik (especially the older ladies). Patients and families asked for Erik by name. He was easy to get along with and talked to the patients as if they were his family. He worked well with everyone. There wasn’t anyone that didn’t like him. When he was working, he was almost always the charge. I knew he would handle all of the issues, no questions asked. Erik trained new nursing hires to N4. He also enjoyed taking on nursing students. Erik cared so much about his patients and co-workers. He bonded with all of us on a personal level. He is missed.
Some personal information about Erik was obtained from his obituary:
Erik was a loving father and a beloved son. Erik left a large and loving family, including three sisters. Erik’s life was committed to demonstrating the joy found in physical health. After graduating from Central Connecticut State University with a degree in physical education, Erik enjoyed years working as a school physical education teacher before obtaining a degree in nursing and working as a registered nurse at the Hospital of Central Connecticut. A lifelong runner, weightlifter, and national Spartan race competitor, Erik’s personal life largely reflected his passion for improving the well-being of others. Erik was affectionately known for rarely sitting still, often being spotted jogging long distances around town, working out with laser focus at the gym, or mowing a family member’s lawn.
After running his personal record of 2 hours, 54 minutes, and 47 seconds in the 2023 Boston Marathon, Erik was ready for the next challenge as usual. He just recently signed up for the DEKA fit circuit to compete against elite athletes from all over the United States. Erik was always grateful for each physical achievement earned, but nothing was more valuable to him than seeing his family cheering proudly from the sidelines.
Thank you for considering this nomination. A colleague gone too soon. His impact on N4 and his colleagues will be remembered, and the impact he made to his patients will not soon be forgotten.
I knew Erik as a new graduate as he started his career on N4. He was very energetic and eager to learn. He was open to feedback and quickly adjusted to ensure his success as a new nurse. He worked during COVID-19, flexed his hours, and was always looking to help his co-workers and peers. In the manager role, there were times that I even called on Erik to help staff my unit, and he frequently came to the rescue.
His peers say of him:
I worked with Erik Kastner as the CRL on N4. He was a staff nurse on the unit during this time. Erik was always kind, extremely motivated, and always willing to lend a hand. Whenever asked to support his team with an extra shift or to switch an assignment, Erik would jump to the request without hesitation to help the unit. Erik had a positive attitude throughout his shifts and loved to be a part of the N4 team. Erik demonstrated his leadership skills as a charge nurse and a preceptor to new nurses. He would collaborate with his leaders and utilize his leadership skills to address concerns. When his peers needed support during their shifts, Erik offered to help take on some tasks to improve their shifts. When caring for his patients, Erik demonstrated individualized care for each of his patients and would quickly respond to their needs or requests.
Another peer wanted this to be known of him:
All of the patients loved Erik (especially the older ladies). Patients and families asked for Erik by name. He was easy to get along with and talked to the patients as if they were his family. He worked well with everyone. There wasn’t anyone that didn’t like him. When he was working, he was almost always the charge. I knew he would handle all of the issues, no questions asked. Erik trained new nursing hires to N4. He also enjoyed taking on nursing students. Erik cared so much about his patients and co-workers. He bonded with all of us on a personal level. He is missed.
Some personal information about Erik was obtained from his obituary:
Erik was a loving father and a beloved son. Erik left a large and loving family, including three sisters. Erik’s life was committed to demonstrating the joy found in physical health. After graduating from Central Connecticut State University with a degree in physical education, Erik enjoyed years working as a school physical education teacher before obtaining a degree in nursing and working as a registered nurse at the Hospital of Central Connecticut. A lifelong runner, weightlifter, and national Spartan race competitor, Erik’s personal life largely reflected his passion for improving the well-being of others. Erik was affectionately known for rarely sitting still, often being spotted jogging long distances around town, working out with laser focus at the gym, or mowing a family member’s lawn.
After running his personal record of 2 hours, 54 minutes, and 47 seconds in the 2023 Boston Marathon, Erik was ready for the next challenge as usual. He just recently signed up for the DEKA fit circuit to compete against elite athletes from all over the United States. Erik was always grateful for each physical achievement earned, but nothing was more valuable to him than seeing his family cheering proudly from the sidelines.
Thank you for considering this nomination. A colleague gone too soon. His impact on N4 and his colleagues will be remembered, and the impact he made to his patients will not soon be forgotten.