Audrie has been a nurse at Salinas Valley Memorial for 14 years and has spent the last five in the fast-paced emergency room department. The ER team sees serious and urgent medical needs come through the doors, many rushed to the hospital by ambulance. Earlier this year, one of those patients went to the ER feeling worried and in severe pain.
The patient wrote in a letter, "After fainting and getting admitted, I woke up to a large group of healthcare professionals surrounding me. Although I was afraid and still in pain, I felt safe, cared for, and important. Mainly due to Audrie, who kept me informed every step of the way. She listened to me and acted fast." Audrie says she recognized heightened fear and treated her like she was one of her own family members. It seems even that nuance in the skilled and compassionate care Audrie delivered was felt by her patient.
"The next day she came to my room in the observation unit," the patient recounted in her DAISY Award nomination letter. "At that time, I had had surgery and was stable. When she came in, I broke into tears and saw tears in her eyes too. I believe she cared for me as if I was family to her."