A good nurse leader has a balance of both the science and the art of nursing and Missy exhibits these qualities on a daily basis in all of her interactions with staff, patients and their family members and all the people around her. Miss had exemplary critical thinking skills and every day she implements new measures to better her practice and those around her. She is always striving to make things better and safer for the patients and the staff who care for those patients. This is not only evident in the ICU where she is the manager but it extends into every other department that she interacts with on a daily basis. She is always learning herself and teaching nurses, physicians, and other staff in her department encouraging safer and holistic practice for better outcomes.

Good leaders are also mentors to everyone around them and Missy takes this to heart in her department and in every interaction that she has with other managers, family, and peers. She shares her knowledge and support, actively encouraging and pushing those around her to be better providers. She never misses an opportunity to teach new and seasoned providers something and is the best at "just in time" training at the bedside. She has a positive influence on everyone she interacts with every day making sure that she has left every situation better than when she initially responded. Missy is proficient and uses a hands-on approach for everything she does making sure she is proficient in the same knowledge base that she is expecting of others. She has the adaptability in her job to move from supervisor leadership duties to bedside nursing support and family conferences with ease and she makes things seamless without a rushed atmosphere or signs of outward pressure or stress. This keeps those around her calm and focused on what is always important which is patient outcomes.

The art of nursing is apparent in everything that Missy does on a daily basis. Her communication skills, compassion, and empathy exude in everything she takes on as a nursing leader. She is always actively listening and measuring her responses in a thoughtful caring way utilizing her skills to resolve conflict in difficult situations and addressing staff and family issues professionally and respectfully at all times. She has built relationships across the entire care continuum focusing on process improvements that elevate the care in the ICU.

Her integrity is second to none and is something that she embraces effortlessly in every interaction, problem, and decision she makes. She is responsible for her team cohesiveness which is reflected in the praise her staff, patients, and community show the ICU through comments, to succeed and provide the best possible care and results while maintaining her deep love of nursing and dedication to the care of others. She embodies the true art of nursing.

Lastly, Missy has always exhibited fiscal responsibility she guarantees that her team and the patients have the best possible equipment, supplies, and staffing to ensure the best possible care is provided on her unit. She has vision for her unit and is implementing that vision with the support of her team and other managers all within the financial constraints of our current healthcare management challenges.

In conclusion, KCH has a fantastic team of clinical and nurse leaders however, one stands above the rest exhibiting the critical characteristics of an exceptional leader and that is Missy Sykes. She has the respect of every one of her peers and shows mutual respect and professionalism with every point of contact across the healthcare organization. She has a profoundly positive impact on this facility and how we are perceived in the community, at the bedside, by other professionals, and her peers. Missy Sykes is a true DAISY Nurse Leader.