Erin cares for all her patients as if they were her family. She is both accepting and respectful of her patients' differences, never passing judgment. Moreover, she always delivers patient-centered care regardless of these differences. Erin has high standards and never loses sight of the vision, mission, and values of YNHH. The needs of her patients and families are first and foremost, 100% of the time. Erin knows how important it is to individualize patients' care. It is not unusual for her to seek out other disciplines like social service, pastoral care, palliative care or care management (to name only a few) to achieve this. She is a patient advocate and teacher. She knows many patients struggle with health literacy and she uses creative thinking and her endless energy to make certain her patients understand the plan of care. Erin is quick to share her high standards and values with student nurses, new hires, float staff, as well as Verdi 3 East staff, always leading by example. She is well respected by her peers so it is only natural for them to follow suit. Erin is a valuable member of the care team and her contribution to the care we deliver on our unit is immeasurable.

About one year ago, Verdi 3 East received a transfer into the unit. It was a young patient who had a prolonged hospital admission of approximately 3 years. Staff tensions grew higher by the minute as other disciplines concurred with the rumors of how manipulative, time consuming, critical, and overall next to impossible to manage this patient was. Additionally, this patient had a pressure ulcer that consumed his entire sacrum and buttock area, extending into his hip. The descriptions of the wound had staff reeling. Lastly, everyone's worse fear, despite his frequent refusals of necessary care and poor prognosis, he still wanted to be a full code. Erin stepped up to the plate and was one of the first of our staff to care for him. Initially it was a challenge. Erin persevered. She treated the patient with respect and dignity, allowing him the control he so wanted over his own care and life, while guiding him to make decisions which promoted his health and well-being as best as possible. As their mutual respect grew so did their trust and appreciation of each other. The patient began participating in his care and refusing treatment less and less. Erin requested to care for him every day that she worked. He looked forward to those days. Erin appreciated him for the person he was, not just as a patient in the bed. She took time to really listen to what he was saying; respecting his differences, never passing judgment. Moreover, Erin was a role model and inspiration for other staff. She shared his history and his likes and dislikes with other team members. She truly was his advocate. More and more staff members volunteered to care for this patient. Erin shared her secrets to building a successful therapeutic relationship and the staff responded. The bond grew between the patient and the staff of Verdi 3 East, with Erin at the helm.

This patient had not been outside or even out of bed since admission, 3 years earlier. Erin coordinated with physical therapy; getting him out of bed to a specialty wheelchair. She and another nurse actually took him outside on several occasions; once to the Saint Patrick's Day Parade that goes right by the hospital. She shaved him and washed and cut his hair. His spirits as well as his Mom's spirits began to rise. Unfortunately, despite everyone's efforts, the sad truth was that he would ultimately die in the hospital. He confided in Erin about his fear of dying alone. Through a multidisciplinary effort, he agreed to comfort measures and the staff made sure that he was never alone. Erin would come in on her days off to stay at his bedside with him. Friends and family brought in all of his favorite foods. He had, in fact, lead a grand life and he had a grand sendoff! He died with dignity and was not alone. Erin, along with other staff coordinated a collection for flowers and attended the services for our very special patient. His mom has since come back to visit the unit. I know Erin will always have a special place in her heart for the difference she made in her son's life.