I met Melissa on Sunday where I was a patient. She was passing out meds in my room at approximately 1:15 PM. My roommate was agitated and started hurling non-stop verbal abuse at Melissa regarding her discharge plan. Melissa stayed calm and composed through it all and explaining the facts of the discharge plans to this patient. This patient remained angry and agitated and continued to talk to me or anyone else who came into our room or walked by in the hall about her complaints.
Melissa is a true DAISY Nurse because of her skills, professionalism, and inner strength of character when under great pressure or nonstop verbal abuse by an unreasonable patient. This incident made me cry. Melissa was grace under fire!
Another reason I want to nominate Melissa is because this changed me for the good. I have an example before me on how to handle difficult situations with others. It has made me more sensitive to my own primary care team and other nurses in general. Just this week, when I spoke with my nurse practitioner, I told her "thank you" and that she was doing a great job. To me, this was extraordinary in the ordinary life an extraordinary nurse! Thank you, Melissa, and all other nurses like you!