Helen is devoted to the staff, patients and their families. Helen consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty to assist her patients and colleagues. Her consistency in her caring and empathy is what is most striking. She is always available and takes the time to explain and guide concerned family members when their loved ones are critically ill. She is the true essence of Nursing. She's an advocate for our patients, going out of her way to make sure that they get all of their questions answered and all of their needs met. What sets her apart from other great caregivers is that she treats patients like family. She is connected with her patients on a deep level, knowing their medical and social needs and ensuring that they are met. She knows her patient's family members and includes them in the care of their loved ones, whenever possible. If a patient gets readmitted and she was their nurse, they are bound to ask about her and want to see her because of her compassionate care. Helen is thorough, detailed, and passionate about what she does, which makes an obvious impact on the lives of all her patients and their families. She responds promptly, addresses people with respect, listens to their needs, and makes sure that patients are happy and comfortable. Patients recognize these qualities and often comment on the great care that they receive from Helen. If you looked at every patient's thank you note and on the patient surveys on our unit, Helen is always at the top of the list! You could come up with something every day that she does to make her patients and their families lives better for knowing her. Helen is truly a remarkable woman, whose ability to sense every need of patient and family is one the most beautiful and natural parts of her character. She is an awesome example of the total nurse: kind, compassionate, humble.
Helen's patience, candor and thoroughness in her interactions with each patient are exceptional. She takes the time to individualize her plan for each patient, going to great lengths to make sure that when they are ready to leave her care they have a clear understanding of the goals and resources available to them. There was a time when Helen was in the process of discharging a patient. As she took her patient's vital signs, she noticed a difference in blood pressures in both arms. She knew this subtle change was not normal and notified the cardiologist. An echocardiogram was ordered prior to discharge. This patient was found to have a severe Aortic Dissection and needed emergency surgery! Helen's keen sense of observation and assessment skills helped saved this patient's life.
Helen is held in high regard by physicians and by nursing administration. She is the epitome of a critical care nurse. She is more than motivated to share her vast knowledge base. She is an excellent mentor and preceptor with our staff nurses on the unit. She is aggressively sought after as a preceptor. She is kind, patient, and understanding not only with patients and families, but with staff. Helen gives herself not to the patients and also to all of her co-workers. She doesn't think twice about staying beyond a sixteen hour shift to help another co-worker, whether it is during a rapid response, code blue or helping the secretary write the next shift's names on the board. There is no job that she is "above" and she is eager to offer assistance whenever needed. Helen also enjoys a very strong relationship with her MD colleagues. She is not only a part of our Falls Committee, to better improve patient outcomes by preventing falls, but is a member of the MD/RN collaboration committee to identify ways to better coordinate patient care by engaging an interdisciplinary team, including physicians and nurses.
We feel so very fortunate to have Helen as part of our team. I believe she consistently embodies the spirit of a nurse, always patient, kind and compassionate, is supportive and caring to her patients, their families and a mentor to her fellow nurses. Helen is a true DAISY Nurse.