On many occasions, I have seen a nurse appreciating a nurse, a patient appreciating a nurse, but seldom we appreciate our instructor. Someone who not only orients a nurse allowing them to dabble in their shoes but by pushing them to go above and beyond.
Michael Oldenburg guides new nurses and helps bring them out of their comfort zone. He helps them feel confident in their skills and makes them confident in communicating with patients and other team members. Besides being a nurse instructor and working with orientation, Michael helps individual nursing units working on projects.
Recently Michael helped us in organizing our skills fairing out unit. During that time, he not only helped us planning and bringing his expertise but also actively participated in setting up and teaching nurses. He stayed late in the evening, beyond 10 pm to help nurses finishing, and he would return by 6 am. What an energy he has! I have gotten many of my nurses appreciating his knowledge level over critical skills that always highlights his own skills and knowledge about critical care. I think by nominating him for The DAISY Award, it is the best way to appreciate his hard work, his dedication, and enthusiasm to help units achieving their goals and his own craving to learn more.