Peggy has been a member of the nursing staff on the 9th floor since December 2002. Peggy has held a variety of roles during her nursing career, but I know that the patients she currently cares for are blessed to have her as their nurse. One patient, who is an ER nurse, felt that Peggy's skills and knowledge were as strong as her neurosurgeons. I know that Peggy is tireless in her care of patients. Her clinical expertise allows her to quickly recognize subtle changes in her patient's presentation, and she is diligent in obtaining the care a patient needs when they need it. She is tenacious in her advocacy of patients, and it through her perseverance that she has prevented untoward outcomes for our patients.

She recently provided care to a patient on Amphotericin. She realized that there should be IV fluids hanging for this patient and set out to find the protocol for this patient population. Once she obtained the protocol, she took it upon herself to educate the rest of the staff to ensure we were providing the same care for this patient.

Peggy does not hesitate to speak up for best practice. She is very aware of our current order sets and she brings forward issues that may impact a patient's care. She also takes the time to educate our CNAs and help them to expand their clinical knowledge of the different patient types we care for on the Neurovascular unit.

Peggy really gravitates toward new staff on the unit. She understands their fears and insecurity and she will stop in the middle of something to help them solve a problem, teach them a new skill, or be there as a calming presence when they are faced with the unknown. I know Peggy watches out for the patients during her shift; she is not hesitant to step in when needed.

Peggy has set an incredibly high standard on our unit. New nurses and students are privileged to learn from her and know the right way to perform a skill or task. Patients are fortunate to receive her care, and patients know that they are in the best of hands during her shift.