It is with great honor that I nominate this Nurse Clinician for a DAISY Award.  As his manager, I am a witness to his unwavering commitment to ensuring that both the staff and patients’ needs are met with excellence, care, and compassion.

During the final two weeks of November 2024, he played a pivotal role in helping two families navigate their profound grief due to traumatic instances that left two individuals with irreversible circumstances. These were two separate cases. One case involved a 56-year-old father who had experienced a cardiac arrest at work. The patient’s wife and two daughters were left with end-of-life decisions.  He witnessed the distress the family was in and gathered a chaplain, patient representative, and himself to speak to the family. He notified the family that he would take as long as they needed for him to explain what was happening with their loved one. He also involved leadership so that the family could discuss their concerns and assured them that they would be followed up on. His compassionate approach and exceptional communication skills created a safe space for the family to express their feelings, ensure their voices were heard, and begin to process their loss.

The family expressed to him the patient’s religious views and how they had difficulty reconciling the necessary end-of-life decision while also incorporating their religious customs. He played a significant role in supporting the family in honoring their religious customs as they navigated the end of their loved one’s life. He assisted the family by ensuring they were able to have a Buddhist monk at the bedside in the OR as the family decided to proceed with donation after cardiac death (DCD). He arrived prior to the beginning of his shift to ensure that the family was appropriately supported and stayed with the mother, daughters, and the Buddhist monk to ensure their wishes were maintained in the OR. One of the daughters came to me and stated that this level of support was very meaningful to help their family cope and maintain their traditions.

The second case occurred simultaneously to the first and involved a 47-year-old male who was involved in a motor vehicle collision. He would later be declared brain dead during the course of his hospitalization. This Nurse Clinician provided exceptional compassion and dedication in supporting the family during this incredibly challenging time for them.

Understanding the frustrations and anger the family was feeling due to the patient’s condition, he was able to build a rapport with the patient’s family and be a source of comfort and support they trusted. He also expressed wanting to shelter the staff from any unhealthy expressions of anger that he could mediate, as he had built a rapport with the family. He served as a central point as this hospitalization between all medical providers and the patient. He made himself readily available whenever the family requested his presence and checked on the family daily. He arranged a time to explain the patient’s medical condition to the family and did so whenever the family requested he repeat it.

From the moment he entered the room, it was clear that he possessed a unique ability to connect with the family on a human level. Understanding the family’s emotional state, he took the time to establish rapport, listen intently, and affirm their feelings, while also helping them understand the medical condition. This bond was crucial as the family grappled with their loss.

As the situation evolved, he continued to offer unwavering support. He facilitated open conversations about the realities of the situation, gently guiding the family toward acceptance while respecting their pace. He provided a calm presence as he tried to help the family maintain their loved one’s dignity.

He coordinated with the healthcare team to ensure the family had access to chaplain services during their conversations. He made himself readily available to repeat any education the family required of him. He would stay beyond his shifts to do so, stating, “I’m going to stay and see this through. I’ve been with them from the beginning, I’m going to see this through.”

Through his dedication, both families felt heard and supported by him during one of the most challenging moments of their lives. This Nurse Clinician was the central force tying together multiple disciplines (chaplaincy, nursing administration, ethics committee, risk management, nursing management, bedside nursing) in the collaborative care of both families. This ensured all necessary resources were available. In keeping with his role, this Nurse Clinician played a pivotal part in educating nurses and medical residents on the critical importance of end-of-life discussions and how to navigate these difficult conversations. He emphasized the ethical, emotional, and clinical aspects of these discussions by example. He exemplified the profound impact that clear communication can have on families facing challenging end-of-life decisions. This approach encouraged participants to develop empathy and active listening skills. This Nurse Clinician also educated on fostering a supportive environment where patients’ wishes and family concerns could be addressed with sensitivity while also maintaining hospital policy.