As a former RN turned patient following a sudden cancer diagnosis, I found myself in the PACU under the care of Erin, RN. I was in significant pain following surgery. I recall exclaiming, "It feels like my muscles are tearing!" Erin was prompt in contacting the provider for a muscle relaxant. In my experience, this complaint could easily have received the response, "That's normal to feel after surgery." Rather, Erin listened to me and took action. Further, Erin expertly noticed my pain had not decreased following the administration of medications. Rather than ignore this, Erin immediately investigated and discovered I had disconnected my own IV tubing while repositioning, meaning I had not received the pain medication. Erin was quick to receive new orders to re-administer medications that provided me instant relief. In my experience, this demonstrates keen clinical awareness and quick, patient-centered critical thinking.

In both my personal and professional opinion, Erin clearly demonstrated that she embodies the core values of St. Joseph's Hospital and thus is deserving of the DAISY Award. Erin's actions made all the difference in my immediate recovery from significant surgery. Not only did she put me at ease, demonstrating excellent clinical competence, but she also comforted me with a genuine bedside manner and casual conversation. I've been through some awful stuff, and I'm a very complex patient, and I often receive negative judgment because of my story. However, Erin made me feel safe, accepted, and validated. We even learned we had some things in common, which made for easy conversation to take my mind off the pain and serious diagnosis I had just received. Again, I cannot recommend Erin highly enough for the DAISY Award, as she has truly demonstrated that she is an extraordinary nurse.