Karen 'KO' Kasten, RN, BSN

KO is clearly a highly accomplished professional and compassionate nurse!! KO was my day nurse and even though she had (I assume) a handful of other patients, she was extremely attentive and reassuring. She was also supervising and teaching a nursing student. I would like to specifically honor and nominate KO for her teaching excellence with her student nurse T. KO is a fabulous teacher. She was thorough and patient with T, answering any and all questions. She instructed T in how to change my 8” spinal dressing and then had T do it. Rather than just explaining it KO is a coach as well as a gifted teacher. Any student would be very fortunate to have KO as a teacher.

The next day she turned my care over to T, but I knew that KO was on the floor supervising my care from afar – That day was full of activity for me. I was being discharged that afternoon, a day early which I attribute to the great nursing care. I had to be cleared by PT & OT, I walked the halls, ate lunch, and slept – KO coordinated everything beautifully.

I am retired now but worked at a highly acclaimed hospital for close to 30 years, I have had wonderful teachers/mentors as well as two apprentices in my time at the hospital where I worked. I only mention this because I recognize both exemplary nursing and teaching. KO is both!! I learned a lot just listening to KO instruct T and I am not a trained medical professional. If anyone is worthy of being recognized for their accomplished and stellar nursing care, it is KO. I consider myself lucky to have had her as one of my nurses!