Since starting at UVA in July, I have learned so much. Although I have a year of experience in nursing, it pales in comparison to the experience of many of the veteran nurses I'm now surrounded by in OPSC PACU, none more so than Cary.

When I started here, Cary was one of my primary preceptors. As soon as I met her and began learning from her, it was completely evident that she had many years of experience with any and every type of situation, I later learned that this clearly recognizable experience was from her background working in the ED. There are very few people that are more knowledgeable in the entire world, in my opinion. I have so many stories that demonstrate Cary's excellence as a nurse, but what comes to mind demonstrating this immediately has more to do with her characteristics as a nurse rather than a specific instance. Anytime there is an unexpected issue on the unit, whether it involves a scary situation with a deteriorating patient, team member conflict, or unsafe situations, Cary is able to lead without a blink of an eye. I think leadership as a nursing quality is often drastically overlooked. There is very little a team needs more than a fearless, competent leader- and Cary is exactly that. She has single-handedly helped shape my own nursing practice, and given me so much confidence as a nurse that isn't even two years into their career yet.

An example of this newfound, growing confidence in my nursing practice that is completely due to Cary's influence on me is the nursing knowledge I've gained from her and am able to pass on. This past month, I took both my ACLS and PALS certifications, both tough classes that present a lot of scary scenarios that can happen, and during these courses, they test our knowledge. When it was my turn to answer questions or offer input, many things I said that impressed the entire class came directly from Cary's passed-along teachings. I remember the instructors asking how we would try to correct a stable tachycardia, and I immediately was possessed by the spirit of Cary and shouted out "slap a bag of ice on their face and get their vagal going!" The other students said "Wow, I wouldn't have thought of that! That's such a good suggestion." While I enjoyed feeling for those moments I was able to contribute, like the smartest person in the world, I was reminded that this confident knowledge came from Cary. I feel like such a confident, competent nurse because of her. There is nothing more valuable in nursing than that, and Cary is the epitome of someone who is able to gift those qualities to others.

I feel so fortunate to not only work with her but that I was lucky enough to be trained by her. I would not be the calm, cool, collected nurse I am today without her influence. She is so deserving of the DAISY Award, for all the hard work she has put into her patient care over the years that has given her the wealth of experience she now passes along to new generations of nurses.