Erin O'Brien
April 2017
Erin
O'Brien
,
BSN, RN
Surgical Oncology
UPMC Shadyside
Pittsburgh
,
PA
United States
Sometimes a person chooses to be a nurse, but sometimes Nursing chooses the person. In the case of Erin O'Brien, Nursing chose Erin. If anyone ever embodied the qualities for which the DAISY Award was envisioned, it is Erin.
Having been a nurse only 7 years, Erin possesses an intuition, and a finely tuned skill that seems advanced beyond her short time as a nurse. Erin started her nursing career as a staff nurse on 4Main and advanced into her current role as Clinician because of her superior leadership ability. Erin has the full complement of skills necessary for success as a nurse. She is consistently cheerful, positive and outgoing in her demeanor. Erin begins each day as the self-appointed cheerleader for her unit. Coming in the door every day, she has an enthusiasm and boundless energy that shows she is eager to get the day started. Somehow she manages to greet every single staff member present. As the day progresses, she maintains a situational awareness that allows her to step in and provide help and support, often before one is even aware they need it. Erin makes it her job to ensure that everyone is okay. She will, without hesitation, insert herself and her support into even the most intimidating scenario. The nature of nursing on a busy unit means that she cannot always prevent every problem, but it is certainly not for lack of trying. Erin knows that it is not always what you want to do, but rather what we have to do.
Erin's level of commitment to her work, her job and her unit is at times superhuman. We see this in many ways such as, accepting a full patient assignment without hesitation, working off shifts, weekends, nights and holidays, and planning, organizing and teaching at staff development inservices. The list goes on and on, and yet after all this, Erin is still able to sit with and listen to a troubled patient as if she has all the time and patience in the world. This is literally a standard day for Erin.
Erin is committed to excellence and bettering her unit through a constant focus on patient safety. Whether by leading daily Safety Huddles, rounding to ensure that standards and procedures are upheld and implemented, redirecting and counseling staff, holding staff accountable for what is right and safe, and leading by example are just the way she does her job to Erin. Safety is not optional for her. She demonstrates that patients deserve no less than the best we can offer. She holds herself and her staff accountable, while being firm and fair. Erin's love for her calling, her patients, and her unit is deeply and readily apparent in every word she speaks, every shoulder she pats, and every challenge she confronts. Erin always ends each encounter with a smile and a Thank you.
Every nurse works hard and all nurses are special, but some are outstanding beyond those qualities. Nursing and fate chose Erin and we are all the better for it.
Having been a nurse only 7 years, Erin possesses an intuition, and a finely tuned skill that seems advanced beyond her short time as a nurse. Erin started her nursing career as a staff nurse on 4Main and advanced into her current role as Clinician because of her superior leadership ability. Erin has the full complement of skills necessary for success as a nurse. She is consistently cheerful, positive and outgoing in her demeanor. Erin begins each day as the self-appointed cheerleader for her unit. Coming in the door every day, she has an enthusiasm and boundless energy that shows she is eager to get the day started. Somehow she manages to greet every single staff member present. As the day progresses, she maintains a situational awareness that allows her to step in and provide help and support, often before one is even aware they need it. Erin makes it her job to ensure that everyone is okay. She will, without hesitation, insert herself and her support into even the most intimidating scenario. The nature of nursing on a busy unit means that she cannot always prevent every problem, but it is certainly not for lack of trying. Erin knows that it is not always what you want to do, but rather what we have to do.
Erin's level of commitment to her work, her job and her unit is at times superhuman. We see this in many ways such as, accepting a full patient assignment without hesitation, working off shifts, weekends, nights and holidays, and planning, organizing and teaching at staff development inservices. The list goes on and on, and yet after all this, Erin is still able to sit with and listen to a troubled patient as if she has all the time and patience in the world. This is literally a standard day for Erin.
Erin is committed to excellence and bettering her unit through a constant focus on patient safety. Whether by leading daily Safety Huddles, rounding to ensure that standards and procedures are upheld and implemented, redirecting and counseling staff, holding staff accountable for what is right and safe, and leading by example are just the way she does her job to Erin. Safety is not optional for her. She demonstrates that patients deserve no less than the best we can offer. She holds herself and her staff accountable, while being firm and fair. Erin's love for her calling, her patients, and her unit is deeply and readily apparent in every word she speaks, every shoulder she pats, and every challenge she confronts. Erin always ends each encounter with a smile and a Thank you.
Every nurse works hard and all nurses are special, but some are outstanding beyond those qualities. Nursing and fate chose Erin and we are all the better for it.