It is impossible to pinpoint only one reason why Vickie deserves this recognition. She has been with WakeMed since May 2012 and has served in many roles. When 5B Neuro Intermediate Care was closed for construction, she adapted to the time in the ED, helping care for boarded patients. Over the years, the role of charge nurse has frequently been entrusted to her. During COVID, she was a charge nurse working with large numbers of travel nurses. Through such challenging times, when many nurses were leaving, Vickie chose to stay. Quite simply, Vickie is here because she wants to be here.

She transferred to 6A Medicine in April of 2024, just a few months after the unit opened, and has been a huge influence in setting the tone and standard of care for extended care patients. She has brought in adapted equipment, special toiletries, laundry supplies, and other items to make her patients' time here more comfortable. When she comes back from lunch with a white bag, we know she has stopped at the gift shop to grab a treat for a patient. Despite maternity leave to have the first 6A baby, Vickie has logged over 2,000 hours as charge nurse on 6A. When Vickie is here, the staff and patients just feel better.

Of all the ways Vickie leads, she truly stands out from the crowd in the care she gives patients who present with barriers to care. She knows how to break through those barriers. Because patients with these barriers suffer from (1) confusion/delirium, (2) various psychiatric conditions/personality disorders, or (3) just plain anger, Vickie rarely gets the recognition she deserves. She works hard to build trust and excels at breaking down walls. One patient who truly stands out came to our unit confused, paranoid, and intermittently combative. His eyes were crusted over, and his body was filthy. He often refused medications, food, drink, and hygiene. He feared the water was poisonous. Vickie learned his likes. Through Milky Way bars, Pop-Tarts, and custom-ordered food, Vickie earned the patient's trust. Because of his refusal of medications, his agitation was becoming more difficult to manage and redirect. At one point, it was deemed that he may need "medications over patient objection." Vickie was so patient with him that the meds never had to be "forced." Because of her diligence in building a relationship with this patient, he began to trust the team more. Night shift was eventually able to give him a full bath, a total spa treatment. Years of dead skin, dirty fingernails, eye crust- finally scrubbed clean! As time went on, he would hit the call bell and ask, "Is Vickie here?" When told she was off, he would respond, "Never mind." This patient would not be able to write a DAISY nomination for Vickie, but I have no doubt that he would fully endorse it.

Vickie is truly a valued member of her team. She is a humble leader, gentle guide, and patient teacher to all the LPNs WakeMed has brought onto her care team over the past 2 years. She guides them in their scope and helps them grow as WakeMed pyramid-centered care givers.

This nomination is not in reference to one patient, one coworker, or one event, but to the hours and years Vickie has given to patients whom others avoid and to the heart she pours into breaking down barriers and ensuring that every single patient gets the absolute best care and every single team member has what they need to excel. She is a quiet, strong leader, and her recognition is long overdue.