Keiarah Lisherness
January 2026
Keiarah
Lisherness
,
RN
Emergency Department
Skagit Regional Health
Mount Vernon
,
WA
United States
When I think of the kind of friend I want walking with me, the kind of nurse I want to be one day, and of someone I would trust to care for my family, I think of Kei.
Kei is a nurse who exemplifies the attributes of the DAISY Award on every shift she works. There are two instances, however, that clearly stand out to me regarding Kei's high level of compassion, excellence, and care.
First, I had brought my wife into the emergency department for evaluation of an issue with her thyroid disease. Both my wife and I work as techs in the ER with Kei, who was assigned to be her nurse. Even though we are used to dealing with emergencies while at work, it is an entirely different situation when you are the one experiencing the emergency. Kei met us in the lobby and immediately provided comfort and care. She made sure my wife was completely comfortable with everything being done and made the effort to explain each step of her care and communicate its necessity. It meant so much, especially when you are vulnerable in front of a coworker. When we expressed doubt about needing to come in, fearing that we were worrying over nothing and occupying a bed someone else needed more, Kei reassured us that we had made the right call. She reminded us that everyone needs help sometimes, which can be hard to admit as healthcare workers. To be seen so openly in a hospital setting that can often can leave individuals feeling overlooked is so important and I know this validation of care is something Kei brings to all her patients.
The second instance took place while I was on shift. After a particularly difficult code blue that I was a part of, I was struggling to process my feelings. I couldn't seem to shake the fear I had during that moment. I worried that feeling scared made me less capable as a healthcare worker. Kei validated my feelings and empathized with me. She told me that she, too, had been scared in that situation and that it was okay because it was scary.
Kei provides the same validation and care to both her patients and her coworkers when dealing with difficult situations.
Both of these experiences bring home the reality that we see difficult things when working in healthcare. And no matter how much education or experience we have, it always affects us on some level. There is a quote by Helen Keller that says, “It is better to walk in the darkness with a friend than alone in the light.” When I think of the kind of friend I want walking with me, the kind of nurse I want to be one day, and of someone I would trust to care for my family, I think of Kei.
First, I had brought my wife into the emergency department for evaluation of an issue with her thyroid disease. Both my wife and I work as techs in the ER with Kei, who was assigned to be her nurse. Even though we are used to dealing with emergencies while at work, it is an entirely different situation when you are the one experiencing the emergency. Kei met us in the lobby and immediately provided comfort and care. She made sure my wife was completely comfortable with everything being done and made the effort to explain each step of her care and communicate its necessity. It meant so much, especially when you are vulnerable in front of a coworker. When we expressed doubt about needing to come in, fearing that we were worrying over nothing and occupying a bed someone else needed more, Kei reassured us that we had made the right call. She reminded us that everyone needs help sometimes, which can be hard to admit as healthcare workers. To be seen so openly in a hospital setting that can often can leave individuals feeling overlooked is so important and I know this validation of care is something Kei brings to all her patients.
The second instance took place while I was on shift. After a particularly difficult code blue that I was a part of, I was struggling to process my feelings. I couldn't seem to shake the fear I had during that moment. I worried that feeling scared made me less capable as a healthcare worker. Kei validated my feelings and empathized with me. She told me that she, too, had been scared in that situation and that it was okay because it was scary.
Kei provides the same validation and care to both her patients and her coworkers when dealing with difficult situations.
Both of these experiences bring home the reality that we see difficult things when working in healthcare. And no matter how much education or experience we have, it always affects us on some level. There is a quote by Helen Keller that says, “It is better to walk in the darkness with a friend than alone in the light.” When I think of the kind of friend I want walking with me, the kind of nurse I want to be one day, and of someone I would trust to care for my family, I think of Kei.