Julie is the hardest working nurse I know. She is very calm and efficient and is one of the BEST nurses I have ever worked with. A few weeks ago we had a patient who was dying. The daughter was devastated and although two different doctors advised that her elderly mom would not survive surgery the daughter was adamant that "everything be done." Julie went into room and sat and spoke quietly to the daughter. Julie provided a listening ear while the daughter explained that she was "not strong enough" to lose her mom. Julie held her hand and encouraged her and I heard her tell this lady that she was stronger than she imagined and that it was time to let go. Julie was in the room for over an hour and finally the daughter agreed to make her mom comfortable. Julie was with her when her mom took her last breath and held her as she cried. Julie went above and beyond her role as a charge nurse. She is highly respected and loved. It would mean so much to us all to see her hard work and dedication honored. I have seen her advocate for patients time and time again, and it is time we acknowledge her.

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I admire Julie for her dedication as a charge nurse in ICU and as an exemplar nurse at the bedside. Her nursing skills and organizational skills are the highest level in critical care. She mentors critical care nurses old and new with IABP management, targeted temperature management with the Artic Sun, arterial line & Swan Ganz monitoring and troubleshooting, mechanical ventilator care, pacemaker care, and many others. When she works as a primary nurse, she makes sure that her patient's physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing are taken care of. Her patient's room is the "perfect room," clutter free, everything labeled from IV sites to IV tubing, medicated drips and dressings, as well as care boards updated. Her patients, although intubated, mechanically vented and sedated are always well shaved (male patients), well combed and ponytailed (female patients), oral care meticulous, and nails clipped & clean. Yes, she makes and takes time for all these nursing care details. Her charting and documentation are all so detailed that an auditor can tell the true picture of the patient just reading her notes to perfection.

As a charge nurse she works under pressure and stress everyday trying to save lives during Code Blues and RRTs, and she does these with speed and precision. As she directs and leads the whole unit on her shift, she's also very compassionate to the patients making sure all patients are safe and their families are involved and updated, and total care are coordinated with the MDs and all ancillary services. When it comes to charge nurse audit tools (skin, bed safety, IPA, core measures, restraints, etc.) everything is perfectly done. "I put my heart into my work as a nurse," she confessed, and my hands are healing hands to patients I serve and care for." She sets the highest standard in ICU and I applaud her dedication and compassion. She's my mentor for many years and a mentor to all here in ICU. "This ICU is my second home," she says, and you can tell it is homey here with her presence.