Katie embodies what it means to be a caring nurse leader. She has expert clinical skills, a sophisticated degree of emotional intelligence, an impressive work ethic, and excellent interpersonal skills. She is a true asset to the 5W team. While this has always been true, it has become increasingly more apparent.
The past year has been one of much uncertainty on 5W. A challenging patient population, much staff turnover, and changes in leadership made the unit an ever more demanding place to provide amazing nursing care. Of course, by looking at Katie, one would never know this.
Katie remained a steadfast, loyal fixture, actively engaged in recruiting and training new nurses (22 in total!). When she was not precepting, she was leading the unit as charge RN where she set the standard for the unit in enhancing the patient experience. She regularly filled in shifts on her day off to support her peers and help to boost morale on the unit. Katie serves as Chair of the Unit Council where she employs evidence based practice to advocate for changes that will benefit her colleagues and her patients. In 2016, Katie and her Unit Council co-chair designed a bedside shift report tool that aimed to improve RN-to-RN communication, to improve patients' perceived responsiveness of RN staff, to improve patient safety, and to hold her peers accountable for their work. With Katie's help, 5W went from a one star unit in the first quarter of 2016 to achieving a four star rating in the fourth quarter! Her ability to ignite change among her colleagues stems from the passion that she brings to her profession. It is contagious and palpable. She sets the bar high, and her peers rise to meet her. We are lucky to have her as part of our team.
In her spare time, Katie earned PCCN certification. She challenges herself intellectually and regularly seeks educational opportunities that help to expand her skill set. She is consistently recognized by patients and families for her bedside manner and the compassion that she displays in individualizing patient care. Katie is confident and humble, gentle yet firm, warm but professional. She is the nurse who I want to work alongside and the nurse that I want to care for my loved one. She embodies what it means to put patients first, and is the reason Cam's question is a rhetorical one: Who has the best nurses? We do!
Katie has countless patient interactions in which she goes above and beyond for the patient. However, one that comes to mind is when a 23 year old patient who has had multiple frequent and extended stays in the MICU and 5 West was going to a bronchoscopy and was nervous and not her typical self. This patient could almost always be seen watching Barney and could not be bothered for any of the medical staffs "nonsense". Katie used her break time to go out and buy a small pink giraffe Beanie Baby to turn her day around. When she returned from lunch with it, the patient instantly lit up and spent the rest of the day smiling and showing the staff her Beanie Baby.
There are countless examples of heroic acts that Katie has performed for our patients, so much so, that to her they seem commonplace. It is specifically for this reason that she deserves to be recognized for exceptional patient care and clinical nurse leadership. Her outstanding character makes her a true DAISY Nurse.