I am writing to nominate Justin Denton for a DAISY Award. Justin is a registered nurse who works at the bedside doing direct patient care. He works the night shift on 7SE. Justin took care of my father the last night of his life, which was the May 12th night shift. Daddy had spent the day in extreme pain. Even though his nurse was very good and was giving him pain medicine, it was barely helping.

By late afternoon, Daddy had spent a horrible day. He was in agony. Admitted for leg infection, I think Daddy was getting septic because he was hurting all over. He was in pain everywhere now, not just in his leg. When Justin came on shift, he could tell Daddy was hurting. Dad asked for better pain medicine, and Justin could see it was needed. Justin was very kind to both Daddy and me; he is obviously a caring and compassionate person. Justin was as passionate about managing Daddy's pain as we were. It was his passion for Daddy's well-being that I especially appreciated. Justin quickly called and obtained an order for better pain medicine.

Finally the medicine came. It was actually fairly quick; it just seemed to take a long time to us. However, Daddy and I both had confidence in Justin, he was very sincere and we trusted him to bring the medicine as soon as it was available. He did, and this better pain medicine worked; thankfully Daddy was able to go to sleep. I am so pleased to say he had a fairly restful night. Also, I was able to go back to the hotel and get some rest myself, confident Daddy was resting comfortably and secure in the knowledge Justin would call me for any changes.

There were no changes that night, but the next day Daddy got much worse. Thanks to his better pain medicine, though, he did not suffer at the end. He was able to be restful and peaceful; what a blessing that was! As Daddy had said the day before, pain takes all the magic away. As sad as I am about Daddy's passing, I am so thankful he didn't suffer any more than he did and that at the end especially he was able to be peaceful and at rest.

That gave us such precious time together, time that couldn't have been spent so peacefully if Daddy had been in bad pain. Because of Justin, no time was wasted in the morning getting pain control orders in place. His fantastic clinical assessment skills, coupled with his caring and compassionate nature, make him such a superior nurse.

I feel Daddy's' whole end of life experience, and hence mine with him, was greatly enhanced by the complete nursing skills of Justin Denton.