I had just finished a 12- hour shift at the hospital. I had been experiencing a "stomachache" for a couple of days and by the time I got off shift, my discomfort had significantly increased, and I ended up checking myself into the Emergency Department. I was diagnosed with acute appendicitis and would need surgery that night. I was in the ED for 3.5 hours and my body and brain were tired. I was uncomfortable, and I felt frustration towards the lack of control I had over the situation. I am a nurse, and I dislike being the patient. I am not good at it. My husband and daughter were visibly worried about me.

Lisa, my RN from PACU, came down to the ED to get me. Relief came over me. Lisa and I worked together years ago in the Critical Care Unit, and I know her to be one of the most conscientious, caring, and compassionate nurses I have ever worked with. I could feel tears of relief come to my eyes when I saw her. She took my husband and me up to the pre-op area to prep me for surgery. Lisa explained to my husband and me the process and the rationale for what she was doing. She was allowing me to be the patient. She took excellent care of me and always clarified if I understood an intervention or a medication. We came up with a pain management plan preoperatively.

There was a delay in my surgery due to the OR being held for an incoming trauma. Lisa again explained the delay and asked my husband if she could get him anything. She explained in detail to him where he would be when I left for surgery and when she would come to get him after my surgery. She gave him a contact number he could call if he had questions for her. I could see the relief he had when he was given directions. As I rolled into the OR, I was nervous, but I felt relief that when I woke up, I knew I would be in good hands. Lisa managed my post-operative pain so well. She cued into my facial expressions and asked about my pain frequently. She offered nonpharmaceutical pain management with positioning and a warming pad, as I was afraid the pain medications would make me sick. She checked my incision sites frequently. She went through my discharge thoroughly with my husband and I and didn't assume that I just knew because I was a nurse. Lisa was my protector, looking out for me and my family when I could not.

Lisa deserves the DAISY award not only for the excellent care and compassion she gave me as a patient that night but also because she consistently treats her patients as a priority, with dignity, respect, and without judgment. She holds her profession to a high standard, and I am so blessed to have had her as my nurse. I will never be able to thank her enough for making my family and I feel safe and for making me feel I could let my guard down and just be the patient. Thank you, Lisa.

Note: This is Lisa's 2nd DAISY Award!