Karissa Estrom
May 2015
Karissa
Estrom
,
BSN, RN
Women's Behavioral Health Unit
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital-Westchester Division
White Plains
,
NY
United States

 

 

 

Karissa Estrom, BSN, RN is a psychiatric nurse on the Women's Behavioral Health Unit (6S) of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Westchester Division. Karissa received multiple letters of support from many on the multidisciplinary team.

One of Karissa's colleagues describes her as "a gift to our unit!" She has a special affinity for those patients with mental retardation in addition to another psychiatric diagnosis. The attribute of "patience" is used frequently to describe her as well as her humor that "carries staff through difficult challenges." She is able to reduce the fears and concerns of patients and families with the utmost care and professionalism.

Karissa's extraordinary caring was exemplified in particular through her work with a female patient with Huntington's disease. This patient had numerous admissions to the Women's program. Every time, Karissa engaged the patient and her family to meet her special needs, whether it was focusing on fall reduction, assisting with intake of fluids or incontinence care, or educating the patient and her family about medications and treatment. All nursing care was administered in a professional and respectful manner to maintain the dignity of the patient.

As a charge nurse she is always well prepared for morning rounds and is described as knowledgeable, compassionate, efficient, intelligent, and a team player. She involves patients in their treatment plans and recently de-escalated a patient by reminding her of her plan to go home. This reframed the situation and helped the patient reach her goal.

All of her attributes and skills are enhanced by her warm personality, great smile, and attitude of respect. She is approachable to allstaff, patients, and families. She goes the extra mile and often stays past her scheduled work time to help comfort or deescalate an agitated patient. One nursing support staff member said, "A shift with Karissa always goes smoothly; she always teaches me something new. Karissa is a fantastic human being and an even better nurse. I cannot think of anyone who deserves this award more than her."

Congratulations, Karissa, for being an exemplary DAISY 2015 Award recipient!