Sara Annis
March 2017
Sara
Annis
,
RN
Medical/Surgical
Mayo Clinic Health System
Eau Claire
,
WI
United States
Sara was nominated by a patient who received a double mastectomy. The patient says she will never forget the compassion and help she received from Sara during her recovery.
"I came up from the recovery room and was in and out of sleepiness," the nominator says. "When the next shift of nurses came on, I was so grateful to have Sara as my nurse that night. I did not know her at the time."
Sara's nominator, who also is a nurse, says she often reminds her patients to take slow, deep breaths after surgery to help ease pain. In that moment, however, she says it was difficult to remember her own advice.
"Sara told me it would get easier every time I got up and moved around," Sara's nominator says. "This time, I was the patient. All the helpful information I tell my own patients went out the window. I was comfortable just lying there and scared to move."
The nominator says Sara went out of her way to comfort her and reassure her that she was in good hands. The nominator says when it came time to sit up, it was one of the hardest and most painful moments she has experienced in her life.
"Sara talked me through it, and the pain lessened every time I moved," the nominator says. "I don't think I would have made it through the first night without Sara. I thank her for all that she does. I couldn't have had a better nurse in my time of need."
Sara, who has worked night shifts for more than 15 years, says she was surprised and humbled to receive the DAISY Award. She says receiving the award was a gratifying experience and a highlight of her nursing career.
"I feel honored to be nominated for the DAISY Award by a patient," Sara says. "Nursing is a hands-on way to help people in need. It is such a rewarding feeling to know you are making a difference in someone's life."
Sara says she has always known that nursing was her calling. She says one of her favorite things about her job is teaching and learning from others. When asked what advice she would give to fellow nurses, she says creating a good first impression is critical. "Always listen to patients, and show respect and compassion," Sara says.
"I came up from the recovery room and was in and out of sleepiness," the nominator says. "When the next shift of nurses came on, I was so grateful to have Sara as my nurse that night. I did not know her at the time."
Sara's nominator, who also is a nurse, says she often reminds her patients to take slow, deep breaths after surgery to help ease pain. In that moment, however, she says it was difficult to remember her own advice.
"Sara told me it would get easier every time I got up and moved around," Sara's nominator says. "This time, I was the patient. All the helpful information I tell my own patients went out the window. I was comfortable just lying there and scared to move."
The nominator says Sara went out of her way to comfort her and reassure her that she was in good hands. The nominator says when it came time to sit up, it was one of the hardest and most painful moments she has experienced in her life.
"Sara talked me through it, and the pain lessened every time I moved," the nominator says. "I don't think I would have made it through the first night without Sara. I thank her for all that she does. I couldn't have had a better nurse in my time of need."
Sara, who has worked night shifts for more than 15 years, says she was surprised and humbled to receive the DAISY Award. She says receiving the award was a gratifying experience and a highlight of her nursing career.
"I feel honored to be nominated for the DAISY Award by a patient," Sara says. "Nursing is a hands-on way to help people in need. It is such a rewarding feeling to know you are making a difference in someone's life."
Sara says she has always known that nursing was her calling. She says one of her favorite things about her job is teaching and learning from others. When asked what advice she would give to fellow nurses, she says creating a good first impression is critical. "Always listen to patients, and show respect and compassion," Sara says.