I was so happy to see this "The DAISY Award" nomination form as I was leaving Halifax Health after spending 5 days on the Psych ward. It's very difficult to manage mental illness (I suffer from Major Depressive Disorder and tried to commit suicide) and then to be Baker Acted and confined to an institution, but I was blessed to have Kim as my nurse for part of my stay. She exemplifies kindness, caring, and compassion. I told her she was "kindness personified!"
Kim was always available to meet the needs of her patients with a gentle, soothing voice, eye contact, and going further by asking "What else can I do for you?" With genuine concern and interest. I returned to my room after a tough psychotherapy group session, I was visibly distressed. Kim came down to my room and got me a cup of hot herbal tea, which I found calming and soothing. Kim continued to check on me.
After suffering painful constipation as the stool softener I was given wasn't helping and being told by techs on the floor there wasn't prune juice available, Kim went in search of prune juice off the wing, heated it, and added a splash of ginger ale saying this would enhance its effectiveness. She kept going above and beyond, doing whatever was necessary to help her patients. Before leaving I gave a grateful thank you hug to Kim for the awesome way she took care of me and her other patients and she replied, "I care about my patients!" No truer words could be said! She doesn't just say the words-her actions speak volumes about how she genuinely cares about her patients!