One night we had a patient who came from the unit who is s/p cath. Few hours later, the patient had a huge groin hematoma. Denise, the HS, was notified. Within minutes, the decision was made to transfer the patient back to the unit. She made things happen through her quick and decisive actions calling the right people at the right time. The outcome was not favorable but her presence made the situation much easier to handle for everybody especially the nurse who had the patient that night.

Being the charge nurse for night shift, I make calls to Denise about clinical situations regarding patients, staffing issues and patient and family concerns. No matter how busy she is, she makes sure she will check on us and talk to the staff/patient/family concerned.

One night there was a patient that was called to us. The ED told me in report that the patient will be coming with his mother who is also sick because he is the caregiver and he threatened to leave AMA if the mother could not come with him. I notified her about it and she went to ED and talked to the patient. The patient got admitted and the mother went home with the daughter. I did not see her talk to the patient but I don't have any doubt that the patient felt that Denise's options were worth considering. She made me feel comfortable in sharing my doubts and questions because she is very professional, straightforward yet caring.

Denise exemplifies the behavior of a DAISY registered nurse, a strong leader yet a true servant, sensitive to the needs of the staff like a mother hen who looks after her own.