Nichole Kalahar was recognized by a Veteran here at the SAVAHCSwho shared that Ms. Kalahar went above and beyond the call of duty, and excelled at the VHA ICARE (Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence) values by retrieving his dentures from the State Veterans home, after numerous attempts from other staff, so that he could eat. Additionally, she procured a clock for the Veteran so that he could tell the time and become more self-efficient. Being a night RN this took time, dedication, and commitment to the Veteran that was outside of her normal duties. Her caring, responsive, and attentive attitude for our Veterans is what being a DAISY Nurse is about.
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I used to work for a professor and give lectures daily, but now it's hard for me to complete a sentence. However, I feel that it is necessary for me to share my experience with the nurse on 3 East, Nicole Kalahar in particular.
I had been trying for months to retrieve my dentures from the State Vets home. I must have spoken to at least 50 people, including nutritionist and doctors, and none were successful in getting them for me. It was only through Nicole's interventions and personal endeavor that I got my dentures back. Nicole asked the right questions and talked to the right people in order to complete the task which is so valuable to me. She knew what I was not eating and it was only because I couldn't, not that I didn't want to.
When you're in bed all day for 24 hours with no clock it's hard to know what time it is. There has not been a clock in my room throughout my stay. Nicole managed to procure a clock for me so that I could look for myself and determine what time it is.
She did all of this which is beyond her call of duty as a nurse. I recommend her for the DAISY Award. My doctor can add to my testimony; she was very impressed by the nursing care provided by the staff when she visited with me recently while I have been here on 3 East.