Dave is one of the most compassionate nurses I have known in my 38 years of nursing. He exemplifies the epitome of patient and family-centered care and is a role model for all of the nurses with whom he comes in contact. Whether he is working in the pre- or post-procedural areas or caring for a patient in one of the interventional labs, Dave puts his patient's needs and safety first. Dave will ask a physician to wait for a few minutes to begin a procedure so that he can comfortably position the patient on the exam table and the sedation that he has administered can take effect. Dave will walk an anxious family member to our recovery area in another building so that they don't get lost or more upset. He also mentors many of our new staff nurses in Interventional Radiology and provides individualized educational plans for each of his orientees. All of his mentees feel a special bond with Dave and continuously seek him out with their questions and look to him for guidance as needed. Dave has a special knack for making every person he talks to feel important, heard, and understood.
When querying staff for their input on examples of Dave Smyth's nursing excellence and connections with patients and families, every single staff member from RNs, managers, PCAs and EAs said: "I can't think of one specific example. Dave is awesome all of the time. He always does a great job." Just like the family of J. Patrick Barnes was impressed by the nursing care that their son received, Dave's patients and his colleagues are struck by the professional and exemplary care that he provides.
One area where Dave really excels is in starting an IV on our patients who have the most difficult access. Often, in our pre-procedural area when we can't start an IV on a patient, we will consult Dave. The charge nurse gets someone to cover for him and Dave cheerfully arrives and expertly gets an IV inserted. Patients and families are thrilled and thank him for his skill and calming demeanor. Of course, nurses appreciate him too. Many times, these patients have frequent visits to our department and they request that if Dave is working that he start their IV. Dave always responds cheerfully. With his wonderful interpersonal skills, his charming Irish accent, and his superior IV starting techniques, Dave makes these patients' hospital experience a more positive and successful one. Dave clearly makes a difference in the lives of these challenging and sometimes complex patients in HVC.
Another of Mr. Dave Smyth's outstanding attributes is his flexibility. One day, Dave worked eight hours on our post-procedure recovery floor. At 4 pm, the interventional radiology rooms at SRC were running behind. When our manager asked Dave to go over to help SRC, Dave unhesitatingly changed his clothes, jumped on the shuttle, and went to assist the IR staff across campus. When he returned, Dave was on call for our IR department and began caring for patients who were having procedures that lasted long into the evening. Dave's philosophy centers on empathy. He consistently cares for patients and assists staff wherever he works. He enthusiastically embraces the challenges of being a nurse and supports leadership, his peers, his patients and families with awe-inspiring and humbling compassion every day.