I want to recognize Breda for her compassionate patient care. She has acute assessment skills and will never rest until the patient has achieved a positive outcome. Breda took care of a patient who had given up on himself because of his diagnosis and he did not have any family support. She tapped into multiple resources to assist him in the follow-ups after he left the hospital. Breda recognized a change in the patient and after her assessment, she recognized this patient was at risk for suicide and immediately provided an intervention. The patient later thanked her for all she had done for him.
Another patient experienced a change in condition and she was not getting the answers she needed to care for the patient. Breda did not stop pursuing physicians for further testing and the patient tested positive for a life-threatening condition. She treats all her patients in this manner and does not give up until she knows they are safe.
One of the unique characteristics Breda possesses is her willingness to share her knowledge with staff. She recently graduated with her MSN and throughout her program brought best practices to the unit. She helped develop a lead role within the patient care assistants and it has been well received. It is a role which concentrates on patient safety. Breda provided literature which helped to support the role.
Breda is also one of the most compassionate nurses you will ever meet. She is always looking for opportunities to help her colleagues and to support them throughout the day. She is a champion for recognition and she treats the staff once a week with pizza. Breda calls the treat day Friday Fun Day and every Friday the staff enjoy pizza. She organized a day of recognition for two nursing units who partner with her unit and provided treat bags and a nurse's prayer. If Breda hears a patient cannot afford their medicines, she will either pay for them or take donations for more costly medicines. These are only a few examples of what Breda does to bring acts of kindness to all.
Breda is a clinical coach and is recognized by the staff for the great job she does in preparing the novice nurse for their practice. She is often assigned to be the charge nurse because of her ability to lead the team. Breda is fair and always works side by side with other staff nurses. She will take time to be available for the novice nurse and provides support for them throughout their shift. Breda recognizes opportunities for coaching when needed. She coached an associate with a difficult patient. The associate was frustrated, and Breda took the associate aside and helped the associate to understand the struggles of the patient and to see why the patient behaved this way. The associate shared with me how much it meant to her to have the support. At the end of the day Breda never looks back at how she changed someone's day, she looks forward to see how she will make it better tomorrow. She is truly one of a kind.