Cassie
Burns
October 2012
Cassie
Burns
,
RN
Oncology
UnityPoint Health - Trinity Quad Cities
Rock Island
,
IL
United States
My mother found out she had cancer in March and was admitted to Trinity (RI) during April and again in May before she passed away in Hospice care in late May. While she was placed in a few different floors for short periods of time, she spent most of both stays in room 428 on 4 south both times she was admitted . Each time she was admitted to 428 is was when Cassie Burns was working her 12 hour weekend shifts. I nominate Cassie for The DAISY Award.
I am a former RN and have very high standards and expectations when it comes to medical care. While all of the staff on 4 south was outstanding, Cassie impressed me. From the first time my mother was admitted, it was clear Cassie was very medically knowledgeable. She was very kind and sweet to my mother while professionally answering all of my demanding questions and requests. She kept us informed of which doctors were coming, why they were being consulted and explained any tests, procedures and medications the doctors were ordering. Each time she gave a medication she confirmed her identity and the medication and told us exactly what medications she was taking.
Cassie followed this procedure every time (yes, I was always watching what was happening) even when she had been taking care of her for 12 hours for several days in a row. While I realize that is standard practice and I'm sure hospital policy, it did not happen all the time elsewhere. While one of our family stayed with my mother all the time, I was the person shouldering most of the responsibility of helping my mother decide on her medical care. In the times that I needed to leave, I knew I could rely on Cassie to give me detailed information if a doctor arrived while I was gone. I was very relieved to know when she was admitted again in May that she was going to 4 south and hoped she would again have Cassie as her nurse.
No matter how many hours she was there, she always came in to the room with a smile on her face and a cheerful comment. She was always professional. She was kind and caring, not only to my mother, but our family and friends. Even though there had been an emergency on the floor, she came in to our room calm and uplifting.
I am a former RN and have very high standards and expectations when it comes to medical care. While all of the staff on 4 south was outstanding, Cassie impressed me. From the first time my mother was admitted, it was clear Cassie was very medically knowledgeable. She was very kind and sweet to my mother while professionally answering all of my demanding questions and requests. She kept us informed of which doctors were coming, why they were being consulted and explained any tests, procedures and medications the doctors were ordering. Each time she gave a medication she confirmed her identity and the medication and told us exactly what medications she was taking.
Cassie followed this procedure every time (yes, I was always watching what was happening) even when she had been taking care of her for 12 hours for several days in a row. While I realize that is standard practice and I'm sure hospital policy, it did not happen all the time elsewhere. While one of our family stayed with my mother all the time, I was the person shouldering most of the responsibility of helping my mother decide on her medical care. In the times that I needed to leave, I knew I could rely on Cassie to give me detailed information if a doctor arrived while I was gone. I was very relieved to know when she was admitted again in May that she was going to 4 south and hoped she would again have Cassie as her nurse.
No matter how many hours she was there, she always came in to the room with a smile on her face and a cheerful comment. She was always professional. She was kind and caring, not only to my mother, but our family and friends. Even though there had been an emergency on the floor, she came in to our room calm and uplifting.