August 2013
Kayla
Stayer
,
RN
Unit 6A
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
Glenshaw
,
PA
United States
As a student nurse, I consider myself incredibly lucky to have worked with Kayla for the past month. Not only has she provided me with the knowledge and confidence to further my nursing skills, but she has also demonstrated the most outstanding compassion for patients and their families that I have ever witnessed. Although she exhibited the characteristics of DAISY Honorees daily, one specific example really sticks out.
A patient with a compound fracture and his family came to Children's expecting an immediate surgery only to find out that the surgery would not be until the next morning. The family was then extremely frustrated with the physicians and residents that were to be taking care of their son and voiced this opinion quite frequently. Upon coming to 6A post-operatively, Kayla corrected their impression of the hospital by providing not only great nursing, but also demonstrating above and beyond empathy with the family. She was able to establish a trusting relationship with the family, which up until this point in their care seemed impossible. Kayla acted as an advocate for their concerns to all members of the health care team involved in their care. As there were many issues with collaboration of care for this patient, the mother often was so frustrated that it would bring her to tears. It was inspiring to watch Kayla comfort this mother, as many nurses I have seen before often dismiss these situations and proceed to complain about the family to other members of the staff. Kayla, however, sought to involve the unit director, Diane, for assistance in providing the family and the patient a direct and concrete plan of care to alleviate their frustration and confusion.
As a student of Kayla's, observing her work with families and patients has really set the bar high for what kind of nurse I would like to be, and expect to see in a hospital. She is the essence behind why Children's hospital received magnet status, and nurses like her deserve credit for all that they do for patients. (Also, she has no idea I'm writing this, but after learning what the DAISY Award was all about, it screamed Kayla to me.)
A patient with a compound fracture and his family came to Children's expecting an immediate surgery only to find out that the surgery would not be until the next morning. The family was then extremely frustrated with the physicians and residents that were to be taking care of their son and voiced this opinion quite frequently. Upon coming to 6A post-operatively, Kayla corrected their impression of the hospital by providing not only great nursing, but also demonstrating above and beyond empathy with the family. She was able to establish a trusting relationship with the family, which up until this point in their care seemed impossible. Kayla acted as an advocate for their concerns to all members of the health care team involved in their care. As there were many issues with collaboration of care for this patient, the mother often was so frustrated that it would bring her to tears. It was inspiring to watch Kayla comfort this mother, as many nurses I have seen before often dismiss these situations and proceed to complain about the family to other members of the staff. Kayla, however, sought to involve the unit director, Diane, for assistance in providing the family and the patient a direct and concrete plan of care to alleviate their frustration and confusion.
As a student of Kayla's, observing her work with families and patients has really set the bar high for what kind of nurse I would like to be, and expect to see in a hospital. She is the essence behind why Children's hospital received magnet status, and nurses like her deserve credit for all that they do for patients. (Also, she has no idea I'm writing this, but after learning what the DAISY Award was all about, it screamed Kayla to me.)