Mary Sue is our charge nurse, but she isn't just that. She is our helper, our back-up, our rock on this unit. She checks on everyone (workers & patients) every 30-60 minutes. She will go out of her way even if it is busy to socialize with the patients and just ask how their day is going if they need anything at the moment, and in a sense like get to know them on a personal level. She cares about her staff and she is more than willing to jump in if needed. If we have a dementia patient that is sundowning badly, she is like the voice of reason and always seems to calm them down. Or if a patient is escalating and a code grey is about to happen, she is able to diffuse the situation. She is Wonder Woman. She is great at reading people and knowing if someone is stressed without them having to say anything. She is one of the best if not the best charge we have and without her, I don't know where this unit would be. She marks all the characteristics for a DAISY award and exceeds them. She is wonderful to be around, and I know that when she is working there is nothing to worry about.
***
I got a new admit, and the assigned nurse voiced concerns about the patient's status. This was all happening in the hallway in front of his spouse. Mary Sue stepped in and helped me get the patient in the room and transferred to the bed. She agreed to help with the testing herself. She talked to the spouse and my patient and calmed them down. I overheard the patient's wife calling her daughter and saying how Mary Sue had saved her from having a meltdown. She was saying how wonderful the charge nurse is on our unit. Mary Sue assured the wife that the patient would be cared for well, she encouraged her to go home and rest because she has been with the husband all day in the ED. She was so appreciative and thankful. I was so thankful for her hard work and her strength for standing up for the patients even it is tough and uncomfortable. She is a rock star!