Meagan Freml is deserving of the Daisy Award because of her uncompromising commitment to compassionate, ethical and quality patient care. Having worked with Meagan for three years in AICU/SICU, I have consistently observed qualities that exemplify those of an extraordinary nurse. She is resourceful, confident, intelligent, funny and more importantly, a strong patient advocate. Meagan is dedicated to providing extraordinary service with each patient and family member she encounters. Her commitment to quality is evident in her level of involvement at Nebraska Medicine. She is a member of the SICU Moral Committee, a preceptor and a staff member of the Biocontainment Unit. There are so many examples of Meagan's commitment to enhancing quality of life, but one in particular that stands out.
On the SICU, we had a patient that came to us in December and was with us for several months before passing away in May. Meagan took this patient frequently to provide continuity of care. He had to have a tracheostomy so it was difficult for him to communicate, and he didn't have a lot of visitors on the night shift (which is when Meagan worked). Meagan took it upon herself to treat him like she would want herself or any of her loved ones to be treated. She would raise his spirit by sitting in his room, talking to him, feeding him popsicles and moistening his mouth with sponges soaked in coke or grape pop. One specific conversation I remember her having with him was on Valentine's Day. Meagan worked the night before and the night of, and she walked into his room that night and said, "Well ... I got the flowers you sent me. Thanks!" He got the biggest grin on his face that literally lit up the room and just shook his head. After being in the hospital for so long, he was finally smiling! Meagan took excellent care of him. He always looked his best with his beard shaved, haircut and nails trimmed. Sometimes being a nurse means more than just paying attention to the numbers and giving medications. It's not letting the patient lose their dignity and treating them like a person, and that's just what Meagan did.
This patient left us for a few weeks and came back to SICU. Upon his arrival, Meagan was working and when she walked into his room, his face lit up! His hair was shaggy and he needed a good shaving so Meagan told him he was going to get his spa treatment and he grinned and shook his head. He said he was happy to be back with us. Most people don't like to be in the hospital, but Meagan turns their experience into a positive one.
Meagan is an asset to not only our unit but to Nebraska Medicine. She exemplifies what it means to be an extraordinary nurse!