Erin Murphy is a very talented, resourceful, and passionate nurse on our unit. She is diligent about providing patient-centered, quality care. Erin cared for a patient with quadriplegia causing a variety of acute, complex medical issues. This patient required a substantial amount of nursing care, time, and effort to meet her needs and keep her comfortable and stable. I received hand-off report from Erin. As I listened to her account of the last 12 hours, it was apparent that she was truly invested in ensuring this patient would receive the attention she needed to achieve positive outcomes. Prior to being hospitalized and with the help of family members, this patient was able to manage her health issues at home. This patient and her husband were very appreciative that Erin took the time to discuss with them her typical care regimen at home and tailored her nursing interventions to best reflect her regular routine. While speaking with this patient through my shift, she explained that her journey with quadriplegia spanned over several decades. She had a multitude of experiences with medical professionals at different locations along the way that had left her with a sense of distrust for care providers. However, Erin devoted a significant amount of time to listening to their story and addressing their concerns and therefore rebuilding this patient’s trust in healthcare staff. In doing so, she acknowledged that this patient was the expert on her own care and demonstrated what patient-centered care and patient empowerment are. As I cared for the patient on the next shift, this patient voiced how grateful she was to have had “a nurse like Erin!"

Note: This is Erin's 2nd DAISY Award!