On Tuesday, we had an extremely busy day in the Emergency Department. We had ambulances arriving one right after the other, some with critical patients, some with patients we were able to triage. We were holding over 20 patients that day. We saw over 100 patients. Through it all, Angela Nelsen, our Team Leader (TL), was calm, organized, and helped keep track of everything with grace.

EMS and PD brought in a young man who had some unfortunate circumstances that made him suicidal. However, his presentation did not warrant PD to place him under an emergency detention. He was seen by social work and they worked out a safety plan. His mother was still concerned about his safety and going home. Many thought he should still go to an inpatient psychiatric facility but he was not voluntary and he did not meet criteria for the emergency detention. Angela sat with the patient prior to his planned discharge to speak with him about going home versus going to an inpatient unit for help. She spoke with him compassionately about his children, what his future looked like, and the need for him to get help and what that resembled. He was tearful and admitted that he needed help and because of their conversation, agreed to go to an inpatient psychiatric unit. He was transferred voluntarily that evening.

I feel that Angela is a DAISY Nurse for her compassionate care toward this patient and her desire to sit with him, to assist him with this decision in his time of need. I fear what could have happened if he hadn't gone to inpatient, if she hadn't taken the time to be that voice of reason with him, to listen to him, just to be there for him in that moment. She cares deeply for our patients and her role as a nurse. I hope she knows that it does not go without notice.