Sarah is a great role model to other nurses and aids on the floor. She is always thinking ahead and trying to do the best for the patients and staff on the floor. She comes in to help out on the floor when we are short-staffed or need help. Her leadership and how much she helps do not go unnoticed.

When I think about what it means to be a leader there are a few distinct qualities that come to mind. I’d like to take a few moments to describe these qualities and how Sarah, a clinician on 5M, emulates them in her work as a nurse leader. A leader can read the unit, have a sense of what is happening, and react to meet the needs of the unit and its employees. This includes the physical demands, tasks, and care that must be provided, as well as the emotions of the team. Sarah has a keen sense of identifying when people are thriving or are in a moment of need. She never hesitates to step in to assist with care, talk through a difficult situation, or just be the physical presence that many people need when things are crazy. She celebrates the good moments on the unit, boosting morale and spreading positivity within the team. A leader has goals, a clear vision for accomplishing them, and the flexibility to change course when things are not responding as anticipated. Sarah is determined to make 5M the best unit in this hospital. She employs tactics designed by UPMC as well as her own creative strategies for improving the culture and care on 5M. She holds herself and this team to a high standard. She recognizes hard work and commitment, coaches employees through challenges, understands when to be firm in holding people accountable, and when she needs to be adaptable or forgiving to unique situations. Despite having less than ideal resources, Sarah has been able to empower employees to provide better care for patients and be better teammates to each other. This is not only felt subjectively on the unit but is also identifiable in 5M’s scores for employee experience and engagement, patient experience, and various quality metrics. Simply put, Sarah is making a positive impact on 5M.

A leader can bounce back from difficult moments. There are many complex patient situations, demanding staff, and emotional moments that a nursing leader is exposed to. The challenging decisions that a leader makes impact the entire team and the patients we care for. It can be a lot for someone to manage. Sarah has shown resilience as she works through challenges and employees' thoughtful decision-making. Some days, she bounces back quicker than others, but she is always standing, ready for the next move. A leader puts the team's needs before their own. I could go on and on about the selfless acts that I have witnessed Sarah perform. She has worked crazy hours and very odd schedules to meet the needs of the unit. She has switched her schedule to allow employees to participate in meaningful moments in their personal lives. She has taken her personal time to deliver forgotten belongings to patients’ homes. I would dare to say that there is not a day that goes by in which Sarah doesn’t think about how she can positively impact someone else.

These are just a few of the qualities that Sarah possesses that makes her a successful leader. I am very fortunate to work alongside someone who has a strong passion for the work they do. This is recognized not only by me but also by her teammates. Sarah is a true DAISY Nurse Leader.