Laurie is a fantastic role model and patient advocate. She is incredibly deserving of the DAISY Award for a multitude of reasons. I have worked closely with this nurse, as she has been a preceptor for many of my clinical students. Whenever a student works with her they say, ‘I had the best day in clinical today because of Laurie!’ She is a great teacher and great role model for the students. She challenges them to think critically and to think like a real nurse, which can be a challenge for the students.
She is a very strong patient advocate as well. Every day you can find her on the unit seeking out her resources to determine the best possible care for her patients. One example stands out in my mind…she had received a post-op spine patient from the OR. The patient was reporting intense flank pain. The physicians seemed unconcerned with the patients pain at first, but she was not. She keenly assessed the patient, consulted with a few of her co-workers and came to the conclusion that the patient was developing a hematoma at the surgical site. She kept on the physicians to get them to come and see the patient. Finally they came by and diagnosed the patient with a hematoma that was expanding and putting the patient at risk for cauda equine. If it wasn’t for her outstanding assessment and concern over the patient’s symptoms, who knows what could have happened. The patient was urgently taken back to the OR and did very well. Although a newer nurse, she is truly remarkable and I hope she is considered for the DAISY Award.