Stephanie is an APRN, an RN, and a teacher. I mention all of those because, regardless of the current highest rank of her professional licenses, she has maintained and remained all of those things. Not least of all, she is an advocate. Not only does she advocate for her patients, but she also advocates for patient care and excellent patient care. She was and continues to be a teacher. While she used to teach children in a classroom, she continues to be a teacher by teaching herself anything new and innovative in-patient care, always learning and wanting to learn. She teaches her colleagues anytime they are willing to learn. She makes it her mission to teach new APRNs not only because she loves to teach and share knowledge but also because she believes in EXCELLENT patient care, and you only get excellent patient care by having an excellent patient care TEAM. She teaches her patients because, in mental health, patient teaching IS advocating for the patient. Teaching them about their illness, as well as their independence and self-care. Stephanie truly believes that the patient is the head of the care team, so teaching them naturally strengthens the team.

She is an RN, too. Just because she became an advanced practice RN does not mean she left her physical assessment days behind to pursue a career as a PMHNP. She gets out there, uses her stethoscope, uses her hands to palpate, and makes sure she doesn't lose her physical assessment skills. It also makes her more holistically aware of what her patients need. Being a PMHNP does not mean you should just forget about the whole person, just as MDs and FNPs cannot forget about the wellbeing of the mind. You will never hear her say, "oh, that's not my job", because the patient is the job. While working with Stephanie, I could recount hours of stories of how she has gone above and beyond for a patient. Not even just her own patients but those assigned to other providers as well. For example, a patient who refused to accept he was diabetic, one who was not exactly nice to those who tried to help him, was experiencing a breakdown of the skin due to pressure and time spent sedentary. Stephanie went out of her way, spent her own money, to buy special arm pads for his comfort and benefit. He cursed everyone who helped him, and this was no exception. When he was discharged, Stephanie made sure his cushions were sent along with him. In another example, a patient going through chemo who was also diagnosed with schizophrenia, Stephanie spent her own time and money again trying to come up with a facility-accepted head covering that would also give this patient confidence and comfort. Both of these patients were not even assigned to her, but she cares about people, all patients, hers, yours, and those she hasn't met yet.

One of the most behaviorally difficult patients in recent memory, one sent back to the facility twice due to other facilities "not being able to manage" them, Stephanie made a schedule to see this person 1:1 for counseling and therapy, to help her manage her impulsivity and anger. The campus was terrified of this patient due to her angry outbursts and physical assaults. Stephanie sat down with her, alone, twice a week, and genuinely took the time to talk to her and help her understand not only her anger and the reason for her behavior, but a realistic plan in how to learn to manage it so she could be successful in society. As I said, hours of stories, as this nurse has a heart of gold and the intelligence to mobilize it into the most excellent care for those that need it. She is consistently overlooked for awards and recognition, and I doubt she recognizes that for herself because she is genuinely in it for the patient and not the award. However, if anyone is worth recognizing for this specific type of award above all others, it is the nurse. The essence, heartfelt intent, and meaning of the DAISY Award are meant for someone just like Stephanie.