I was a patient who received a total knee replacement at St. Mary's Medical Center, and I believe it is my responsibility and pleasure to nominate a special, dedicated, compassionate nurse who attended and took care of me. Theresa is certainly highly qualified to receive the prestigious DAISY Award. I met her when she came in on evening shift to take my vitals and make sure I was comfortable, and had ordered my dinner. I was worried about the pain in my leg after surgery and her warm smile and greeting made me feel at least emotionally better at the time. Theresa continued administering her professional skills by making certain I had all the necessary blankets, ice water, and medication I needed.
The first night she attended me, my pain seemed to get ahead of itself. I cried most of the night. Theresa's compassion for my pain comforted me. It is difficult to feel like a "cry baby" at my age, but I only felt caring coming from Theresa. She was by my side every moment she didn't have to be with another patient. Then we realized the IV that was to feed me saline and morphine had slipped out of the vein. Two other nurses were called in to reinsert the IV. After several attempts, which included hitting a nerve in my hand and me wailing in pain, these nurses gave up and left. Theresa came to my rescue. She took control, and with integrity made the decision to, as she promised, "find the smallest most proper size needle in the hospital," insert it, and get me back on track to reducing the pain. She did just that, without causing me pain (well okay, a little at the prick) and she got the pain medication going to my great relief.
The other thing I noticed was the nurse aide who worked with Theresa admired and appreciated her and even proudly acknowledged to me Theresa's expertise and integrity. You have a nurse on your staff who is not just doing her job, but a skilled professional who is compassionate about the quality of her dedication to helping people.