Conflict resolution. Kristy is able to promote teamwork in finding a reasonable and peaceful solution to a disagreement. I have witnessed Kristy do this multiple times while working with staff and facility partners. She models how to collaborate with facilities and shows how to develop and nurture a positive working relationship. 

Critical thinking. Kristy bases her decisions on evidence and objective analysis. She has helped multiple patients with end-of-life symptoms. I have seen her work diligently adjusting medications to ensure comfort, while providing education and emotional support. 

Attention to detail. Kristy is very thoughtful in her decisions and communication. She will often re-read something and look at it from different angles to ensure she does not miss anything and ensures she captures everything that needs to be done for a patient and family.     

I have seen Kristy work to provide physical symptom management, she also cares about how patients feel. She treats all patients with kindness, respect, compassion and meets them where they are at in their journey. She always acts in the best interests of her patients at all times. I have seen her advocate for patients to be discharged from the hospital as their wish is to die at home. She advocates for their wishes and helps educate physicians on how this can be accomplished safely. She works with many different departments to ensure a smooth transition to home.     

Kristy is an amazing partner. She has a gift when it comes to partnering with long term care facilities. She understands how facilities work and how hospice can be there to support the facility staff and patient. She has done exceptional work gaining the trust of facility partners by modeling excellent nursing care and communication. She provides education to staff, patient and families. She is present from admission to death, making sure everyone involved is comfortable and understands what to expect.     

Accountability in nursing requires nurses to follow an ethical conduct code based on the “principles of fidelity and respect for the dignity, worth, and self-determination of patients.” Kristy has worked tirelessly to ensure positive patient outcomes. She takes this role very seriously and holds herself to a very high standard. Kristy has a passion for making sure patients with wounds are well cared for. Kristy took a course to become a Certified Wound Care Nurse. She did this to make sure she was providing the best wound care possible. She has worked hard to educate patients, staff and facility partners on the best course of treatment for wounds within her scope of practice. She routinely seeks more knowledge and works with physicians to update care to help ensure comfort and promote healing.

"Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God." During team huddles and meetings, Kristy has shared that when there is a challenging situation, it can be helpful to pause and reflect on our mission. Reframing our focus from the issue to how do we provide the best care possible? This has been a very helpful and powerful reminder to keep our focus on providing the best care and trusting God to assist us in living the mission daily.     

Upon reading the criteria to qualify for this award, it is easy to see why Kristy deserves it. Kristy is a dedicated nurse who always puts her patients' needs in the forefront. Kristy is able to have difficult conversations about end of life. She is caring and respectful in her delivery. She does not shy away from advocating for her patients to ensure their goals of care are met. 

Kristy has oriented numerous nurses. She is chosen to orient because of her strong nursing skills, ability to teach others, and passion for ensuring staff provide excellent care. She is patient with new staff. She does not rush through any material. She takes the time to discuss what she is doing and why. She shows them hands-on care but also shows them how to think critically about each situation. She asks them questions to help foster a deeper understanding of the nursing process. Kristy is looked to as a leader. She leads by example, making sure each patient is treated in a respectful manner, the focus of the care is on the patient's goals, and taking time to connect with each patient. She can read a room and find some common ground to talk with the patient and family while performing her assessment. Kristy is often asked to take on challenging cases, because she has a way of connecting and earning the trust of her patients. She takes great care to ensure each patient is treated as an individual and given the best care possible. 

When I look back over the many years we have worked together, I continue to be in awe of her phenomenal skills. I remember some of the more involved cases she has had over the years; I smile because I know how hard she worked to break down any barriers and how skilled she is at connecting with patients. This ability has helped to ensure she was able to give phenomenal care and I know how thankful those patients were.  Any nurse would be lucky to work alongside and learn from Kristy.