...Not only does Nicole bend over backwards to ensure safe staffing in CCU rotating between day and night shifts, but she is usually available to come in to cover a surge in census, sick calls or crisis in CCU. Nicole has presented a journal club breakfast to the unit staff and made a poster for reference in our break room. With just one year of nursing experience, Nicole has already attended the critical care nurse certification review course and plans to take the exam as soon as she is qualified in her years of experience. Nicole met with the Magnet re-designation team where she raved about her experiences as a new nurse in the CCU. Importantly, Nicole has learned to calmly handle the most unstable and critically ill patients, always collaborating with other members of the healthcare team.

In this past month, Nicole's strengths were demonstrated when she received a hypertensive patient with a diagnosed Type B aortic dissection from the Emergency Department. Nicole immediately recognized the need to reduce the patient's blood pressure that risked his survival. She initiated the appropriate anti-hypertensive medications, and spent her entire shift in titration of these sensitive drips to bring the patient's blood pressure into and normal range with a normal heart rate. He remained normotensive throughout Nicole's shift and was treated with successful surgery the following day. It was clear the patient might not have survived had it not been for the dedication and attention given to him by Nicole Pueruri.

Nicole stepped up recently during an acute situation where a less experienced RN was assisting with an emergent pulmonary artery catheter insertion. The newer nurse was having difficulty connecting the lines appropriately so Nicole assisted her in the correct process preventing a delay in our ability to monitor this patient effectively. This an example of the teamwork Nicole promotes in CCU.

For these specific reasons, as well as numerous others, Nicole Pueruri, RN is more than deserving of the DAISY Award.