I have worked with Kristen for five years in oncology nursing. Kristen has grown into a strong, knowledgeable, and compassionate nurse. She is always an advocate for her patients and consistently delivers care of the highest order. She will always take the time to sit down and talk with her patients, even if she is running behind on the busiest of days. Many of our oncology patients can be afraid of coming in to get their chemo treatments, whether it is their first, second, or fiftieth treatment. Kristen is able to build an immediate relationship with the patients and family members so that they trust her and know that she will continually advocate for their needs and guide them through their journey to survivorship. I can remember a day when she was able to connect with a patient who was not feeling well and resisting being admitted. Kristen sat down and comforted the patient by explaining the process and the plan of care. The patient felt comforted and from there the transfer went smoothly.
I feel comfort in having Kristen by my side in emergency situations. She always remains calm under pressure and can critically think in acute situations. She is always a dependable teammate. Moreover, Kristen strives for excellence and is very interested in furthering her education. She is currently doing research projects on the unit and applying to further her career. Kristen repeatedly sends out emails to the unit including up-to-date information about chemotherapy drugs we give and educational opportunities that come up in our day-to-day patient care. I consider it an honor to have worked with Kristen for most of my oncology career and think she is an incredibly valuable nurse to our unit, the hospital, and most of all, our patients.