I have worked with Cecilia for 6 years now and have noticed a consistency in her compassion towards others, may they be staff or patients. Wherever she goes she spreads peace, love, and healing. The following examples I think embrace both her clinical strength and her compassion for her patients.
Example 1: Cecilia was assigned a status post ventriculoperitoneal shunt patient and prepared for her critical care patient. After getting report from the anesthesiologist and the OR RN, Cecilia began to assess her patient. She was quick to realize the EKG of her patient revealed new elevated ST segments. Furthermore, the patient was not showing the usual signs of anesthesia emergence and was not able to verbalize or follow commands. With swift expertise, Cecilia was quick to recognize something was amiss. Upon contacting the anesthesiologist, who agreed to order labs, EKG, and tests, she wanted to rule out stroke symptoms. Within 10 min of the patient in PACU, she recognized that the patient showed signs and symptoms of a stroke and activated the rapid response and eventually the Code Stroke. Thanks to her skilled assessment, the patient was able to get lifesaving diagnostics and interventions including an emergency head CT to rule out stroke within 20 min. This patient survived without complications and resumed normal recovery thanks to Cecilia.
Example 2: A pediatric patient about grade school age came into the hospital after falling and breaking her arm while playing sports at school. She was afraid and apprehensive as this was her first surgery. The surgical staff was welcoming and supportive to the young girl and to the family as she entered her surgical experience. Cecilia was one of the girl's PACU nurses that day; a task she volunteered for knowing that some of her peers were not as familiar or comfortable with pediatric patient care. She took to the task with grace as she consoled the tearful girl as she awoke and promptly updated family soon after to promote a Simply Better family experience during this stressful time. She held the young girl's hand and comforted her as she awakened from anesthesia and helped navigate the concerned family through their many questions. Watching her pacify both the young girl and the family with such finesse, so they could focus on healing was nothing short of a beautiful act. Cecilia went above and beyond by also going out of her way to the gift shop to purchase the girl a small gift for having been so brave during her surgical experience. The thoughtfulness thoroughly impressed me, as Cecilia tried to imprint positivity into the girl's day, when it had begun so fearfully. The family was touched and grateful for the kind gesture that she demonstrated. This way, the girl would have something positive to remember staff by, as she looked back on this day that she had started out so feeling so scared by. The family was very grateful and surprised by the kindness that Cecilia showed that day. This small act and story are just one of the many that Cecilia is attributed with and that is why she is a true DAISY Nurse.