Logan and I have both worked in the Intermediate Care Unit at Inova Fairfax Hospital since I accepted my job in August 2016. Even as I began my nursing career, Logan has stood out to me. She has explored every opportunity for personal and professional growth. She has worked as a nurse preceptor, night shift charge nurse, education committee chair, and nursing team leader as she has prudently stayed up-to-date with the latest evidence-based nursing practice. She has regularly updated her clinical skills as clinical guidelines have changed and made it her personal prerogative to teach other nurses on our floor how to do the same. She recently applied for a research grant with the hope of introducing an adjuvant therapy that could minimize CAUTI rates at our hospital.
While the aforementioned distinguishes her from her peers, the most exceptional characteristic of Logan's nursing practice is her extraordinary bedside manner and commitment to outstanding patient care. One example includes an interaction I observed on a recent night shift while Logan and I worked together. During a free period in her shift, she took the opportunity to visit with a patient she had cared for a week prior. Logan recognized this patient's clinical vulnerability and guarded prognosis, but more importantly acted on nursing insight that the patient required additional care beyond medical intervention. The patient was preparing for death and had vocalized emotional distress. It appeared to me that Logan's presence at the bedside provided a much-needed reprieve for the patient. In particular, Logan's gentle and unassuming approach shone brightly during a dark period in this patient's hospitalization.
Since the patient has left our unit, Logan has kept her tirelessly positive attitude. She continues to embody the spirit of excellent nursing practice not only with her words, but also with her actions. She is an example of the ideal nurse, humbly demonstrating anonymous self-sacrifice in the better interest of her patients, while being sensitive to her own emotional and metal limitations. Logan truly has the "healer's touch".