As the ACNP in the MSICU, I routinely see our nurses provide excellent care to the patients they take care of. I routinely see so many go above and beyond. Alex Trant is one of the nurses who routinely go above and beyond for her patients and colleagues. In the time that Alex has been a team member in the MSICU, she has graduated from a new ICU nurse to one of the strongest bedside nurses on staff. She is routinely tasked to care for the sickest patients and does so with poise and grace. Alex is a strong advocate for her patients and routinely suggests and questions orders for her patient in a professional way. Among her peers, Alex is viewed as a leader and resource even by peers more experienced than herself.

Alex is not only clinically competent and provides evidence-based care, but she approaches the care of her patients in a genuinely kind and compassionate way. Alex routinely involves the family and cares for their needs as much as her patients. One example of this occurred recently when Alex was caring for a dying patient whose family was unable to visit because of COVID. The patient was critically ill and had previously discussed with the family the desire to avoid long-term invasive life support. Alex recognized this and approached the team about the need to communicate with the family regarding goals of care. The family was quite nervous about terminal extubation and transition to hospice as they would not be able to be with the patient because of restrictions and travel time. The patient had previously expressed not wanting to die alone. The provider team reassured them that we thought the patient would be able to make the transfer to hospice where they would be able to be with the patient. The patient was extubated and hospice arrangements were being made when unfortunately the patient acutely declined. It was clear she was entering the final few moments of her life.

Alex was at lunch at this time, but when she heard of the decompensation she immediately dropped her lunch and came to the patient's bedside. Alex pulled up a chair and sat at the patient's bedside. Even though the patient was essentially comatose, Alex held her hand and talked with her as if they had been friends forever. Alex ensured the patient was provided with anxiolysis and analgesia per orders. When the patient died, Alex called the family and updated them, reassuring them that the patient had not died alone.

Alex's selfless act of giving up her lunch to compassionately care for a patient at the end of their life is, in my opinion, exemplary of what The DAISY Award stands for. Alex is truly an Extraordinary Nurse.