Sara is one of my facility's nighttime nursing/house supervisors. She did work in my ICU but has been away from the true bedside for about a year. In the past week, my hospital has seen an influx of patient admissions and due to recent staffing shortages, it has been very much in need of help, particularly on the night shift. Last night, Sara volunteered to cover a shift in the ICU as a bedside RN to fill a critical need. She is always a pleasure to work with, but also, she is the epitome of a team player. Not only did she pick up the shift on the fly, but she did so knowing that we were short-staffed and she, in her own words, is a bit "rusty" at being a bedside nurse. Well, this little baddie started with two patients, one who had Q 30 min neuro checks, transferred her other patient out of the unit, and got a new admit which she also moved out within the hour to receive another new admit. I also need to mention that she did the admission on the first admit before she transferred him, knowing that she was going to get a replacement! If that wasn't enough, nearing the end of her shift she offered to take yet another transfer to the unit to ease staffing burdens! In our ICU the staffing ratio is 2:1 and she had gone through four patients at the time offering to take on what would have been her fifth patient of the night. OH, and I can't forget to mention that she was front and center to initiate the paperwork at the end of the shift Code Blue in the ICU until the nursing supervisor of that shift could make it to the unit! Sara did all this with her ever-present calm and positive attitude, only concerned about her patients and facilitating care in any way she can. Having a co-worker that not only aids in the day-to-day grind but does so in such a way as to make the work environment not only easier but enjoyable to be in is an absolute treasure. Sara is truly dedicated to her facility, the staff, and the patients under her care.

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