The DAISY-In-Training Award is a special recognition program for student nurses that go above and beyond the call of duty. This recommendation is for a second level student nurse at Nash Community College. This student had an elderly patient with a diagnosis of Acute Kidney Failure and Hypertension. She had been in the hospital for several days and she wanted to go home. She did not have family to go home to, and the hospital was waiting for a bed in a rehab/skilled nursing facility.
In the meantime, her anxiety continued to increase because she could not go home, to the point she was climbing out of bed, crying, and becoming combative. As I walked by the patient 's room, I noticed that the student had pulled up a chair beside the patient 's bed. So, as I neared the door, I paused and listened. It was what I heard and observed in that moment that led me to write this recommendation. The student was not only sitting next to the bed facing the patient, the student was holding the patient 's hand, and gently patting it. The student was quietly listening to the patient 's concerns and nodding in response, using the communication skill, therapeutic listening. The patient, whom had been combative and crying, was looking into the student 's eyes and calmly expressing her concerns. The student made this patient feel safe by providing caring interventions, therapeutic communication and patient-centered care. The student showed respect, acceptance, and trust by simply sitting by her bed, holding her hand and taking the time for listening to her concerns.
In nursing, caring behaviors are important to the total patient experience and the patient 's perception to the care provided while they are in the hospital. Nurses are the care professionals that have the most contact with the patient, therefore, nurses should tailor interventions to the patient needs. This student nurse was able to determine the needs of the patient and provide her with a memorable hospital experience. I am so proud of this student for an awesome job in holistic patient care. It is with great honor that I recommend, Nate Marshall.