Comments: Connie has been employed by CHOC Children's Hospital since 1985. She began her nursing career at CHOC in the NICU and transitioned to the PICU where she has served in the roles of associate nurse, case manager, is a current member of the ECMO team and for the past approximately eight years, charge nurse on day shift. Connie has been through many changes and phases throughout her years here and has many experiences to share. Connie is proud to work for Magnet Awarded CHOC Children's Hospital and shares that pride with our current PICU Beacon Award status. As a fellow charge nurse, I have come to know and respect Connie. When she is in charge, she manages the PICU with expertise and knowledge. She is the first charge nurse to achieve CCRN certification, setting the expectation and goal for others to follow. With her expert clinical skills and knowledge, Connie is aware and on top of the needs of the patients in the PICU; while continually evaluating the patient census and bed status for incoming and future admissions. The staff relies on Connie and often uses her as a resource to validate changes of the critically ill patient. On any day, Connie can be found teaching and mentoring younger nurses with less experience, helping them to learn and grow in the PICU world. Connie shares her knowledge by lecturing RN residents on medications used in septic shock and hemodynamic monitoring. Connie is often recognized by others by submitting kudos on the PAWS website. During the course of twelve hours, Connie can be found participating in multidisciplinary rounds, rounding with patients and families, attending bed rounds, all while keeping the PICU management team aware of current issues and areas of focus within the PICU. Connie keeps the communication lines open with fellow charge nurses, associates, physicians and other disciplines. I recall one day when Connie was in charge...there was an extremely loud and unusual noise within the unit walls. Connie initiated a code orange, just before a water pipe burst resulting in a flood. Patients were subsequently moved and everyone remained safe and calm. Everything turned out OK. There is an area of care where Connie excels above all. Connie is keenly sensitive to the emotionally distraught situation that afflicts the patient and family of an extremely critically ill child. She will go above and beyond in sharing and speaking with the distraught family and will assist them through their grief as they make sense of the situation and try to come to terms with what has happened and what needs to be done. Many lives have been saved through organ donation because of the grief stricken family's decision. ICare principles are what Connie does. She strives for excellence, effective communication, accountability and is respectful of other. As a fellow charge nurse, Connie is a pleasure to follow. She gives a thorough and precise report and assures the unit is staffed adequately. She is a positive, caring, sincere person and great friend. She tries to always see the best in others and has a good sense of humor too. With that, it is my pleasure to request that Connie be considered the next recipient of the Daisy Award!