Laura's Critical Care background set her up for the extraordinary care she gives to all patients that she encounters. Not only does she have the knowledge that is needed to care for the wide variety of patients that come to our facility she is very detail-oriented with ensuring everything on shift goes as effortlessly as it can. Working with her over the past year, it has become evident that this career path was a true calling to make a difference in people’s lives when sometimes this may be the moment that they are the most vulnerable. Patients have put their trust in her, knowing that she will provide them with the best quality of care that she can. When patients have to accept an outcome that is not ideal or the end goal, she has just sat and talked with them, lending an ear because, at times, that’s all a patient may need. The same trust has been built with her co-workers and physicians, knowing that they can put their trust in her leadership abilities and rely on her when it is needed. 
    
This nurse was recently recognized by a physician for these exact leadership qualities that were just mentioned. We recently had a patient who was transferred to us for therapy and wound care for extensive wounds on her lower extremities. Once the patient arrived at our facility, she recognized how extensive her wounds were and kept advocating and reaching out to the attending physician regarding her concerns. This physician specifically commented, “She identified that a patient was unstable and decompensating. She continued to communicate her concerns with the physician in a respectful manner while advocating for the needs of the patient. Through her efforts, the patient was appropriately transferred to a higher level of care, preventing an adverse outcome."