Sara Masciarelli, RN

I am honored to nominate Sara for the DAISY Award. Her exceptional leadership, dedication, and compassion have had a lasting impact on our unit, especially when she stepped into the "nurse in charge" role on our high-flow, acute unit early in her nursing career. Sara’s transition into this challenging leadership role was nothing short of impressive. Despite being relatively new to nursing, she demonstrated remarkable judgment, the ability to make quick decisions, and the confidence to manage a busy unit. She brought structure and clarity to the team, ensuring that operations ran smoothly, even under pressure. What truly set Sara apart, however, was her incredible sense of humor. She had the unique ability to keep the team’s spirits high, even during the most stressful times, lightening the mood with a well-timed joke or a funny story that made everyone feel at ease.

Beyond her leadership role, Sara was also pivotal in boosting unit morale. She regularly went above and beyond to foster a positive and enjoyable work environment. From organizing team gatherings to decorating the unit for every holiday and celebration, Sara made sure there was always something to look forward to. Her festive spirit and attention to detail in decorating the unit brought joy to everyone, creating a welcoming atmosphere that helped lift everyone’s spirits.

In addition to her leadership and morale-boosting efforts, Sara played an essential role in overseeing the onboarding of new Personal Support Workers (PSWs) to the unit. She ensured that the PSWs were smoothly integrated into the team and provided the support they needed to make a meaningful contribution to patient care from day one. Sara’s love for nursing and unwavering dedication to the unit were evident in everything she did. Her ability to lead with both professionalism and humor, while maintaining a strong focus on patient care, exemplifies the true spirit of nursing. At such an early stage in her career, Sara demonstrated leadership qualities that go far beyond expectations, making her an invaluable asset to our team. It is with great respect and admiration that I nominate Sara for the DAISY Award, as she has shown exceptional leadership, compassion, and a sense of humor that has made a profound impact on our unit.