Labor and Delivery is a fast-paced, high-stakes, emotionally charged environment. It can be very challenging to manage all of the patient-care tasks of an L and D nurse on a shift there. It is a real treat to work with someone who can do it with grace professionalism, at once encompassing the presence and polish to inspire imitation and aspiration in her peers and colleagues, to demonstrate the technical, medical, procedural, cultural, and situational awareness and knowledge to put patients and families at ease, and to serve as a trusted and reliable sounding board and problem solver for the physicians who are lucky enough to work with her. Beyond all of this, she approaches all patients with respect and reverence, a service mindset, and works to actively engage and advocate for each of them.

One patient we cared for together was a refugee from a war zone who had just arrived in the US 2 weeks previous, in labor with her first child. She and her husband had to use their second choice of language interpreter because their language was not available. While in the hospital, the patient developed preeclampsia, but the delivery and recovery went well. This nurse rose to the challenge of caring for this couple who were going through an extremely stressful experience, supporting them with education, comfort measures, and being present for them throughout. This helped make a positive experience out of what could otherwise have been an alienating and lonely time for them.

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