Susan Clark
October 2023
Susan
Clark
,
RN, BSN
Children's Services
EvergreenHealth
Kirkland
,
WA
United States
Sue has a way of making this journey just a little bit less daunting with her quick wit delivered at just the right time. Laughter is the best medicine, and she gives that gift to our parents even at such a stressful time. Sue is an incredibly special nurse with a smile that is contagious.
As the old saying goes…."it’s the little things in life that count." Although filling the shoes of a NICU nurse is “no small thing,” I would like to take this opportunity to nominate Sue Clark for the DAISY Award. Sue not only fills those shoes of a NICU nurse but also takes this very important role above and beyond with all the “little things” she does for our NICU families.
Being a new parent or an experienced parent with a baby in the NICU can be a very frightening time in their lives. “Will my baby be ok?” "Will my baby live?" This is the fear every NICU parent faces. Sue has a way of making this journey just a little bit less daunting with her quick wit delivered at just the right time. Laughter is the best medicine, and she gives that gift to our parents even at such a stressful time. Sue is an incredibly special nurse with a smile that is contagious.
Other examples of the very special and impactful “little things” Sue gives to our parents is to allow them to celebrate holidays while their baby is in the NICU. Whether it be a Halloween costume for their first Halloween, a Christmas ornament with their baby’s hand and footprints embossed on them, or a card at Easter or Thanksgiving with a special message, it just brings a smile to their day. Just recently, she made Onesies saying, “NICU Graduate” for their baby to wear on the eagerly anticipated discharge home day! Sue has always done the additional touches that say “we care” on her own time and dollar.
It cannot go without being said that Sue has also recently advanced her skill level from Level II to Level III RN. This involves intense didactic and bedside training to competently take care of our sickest and most fragile NICU babies. In talking with her about this added skill level, she will simply reply…"I just love it!"
A big thank you to Sue is warranted because of all the wonderful things she does for our families. Although the journey may be long and scary for our families while they have their baby in the NICU, it’s the baby steps, “the little things” that Sue provides along the way, that make the journey a little bit easier.
For some people it’s a job
For some people it’s a career
For some people it’s a calling……….insert “Sue”
Thank you for all you do!
Being a new parent or an experienced parent with a baby in the NICU can be a very frightening time in their lives. “Will my baby be ok?” "Will my baby live?" This is the fear every NICU parent faces. Sue has a way of making this journey just a little bit less daunting with her quick wit delivered at just the right time. Laughter is the best medicine, and she gives that gift to our parents even at such a stressful time. Sue is an incredibly special nurse with a smile that is contagious.
Other examples of the very special and impactful “little things” Sue gives to our parents is to allow them to celebrate holidays while their baby is in the NICU. Whether it be a Halloween costume for their first Halloween, a Christmas ornament with their baby’s hand and footprints embossed on them, or a card at Easter or Thanksgiving with a special message, it just brings a smile to their day. Just recently, she made Onesies saying, “NICU Graduate” for their baby to wear on the eagerly anticipated discharge home day! Sue has always done the additional touches that say “we care” on her own time and dollar.
It cannot go without being said that Sue has also recently advanced her skill level from Level II to Level III RN. This involves intense didactic and bedside training to competently take care of our sickest and most fragile NICU babies. In talking with her about this added skill level, she will simply reply…"I just love it!"
A big thank you to Sue is warranted because of all the wonderful things she does for our families. Although the journey may be long and scary for our families while they have their baby in the NICU, it’s the baby steps, “the little things” that Sue provides along the way, that make the journey a little bit easier.
For some people it’s a job
For some people it’s a career
For some people it’s a calling……….insert “Sue”
Thank you for all you do!