Demonstrating Kindness and Compassion to Patients and Families: Lauren came to the ICU a short time ago and has really planted her feet in firmly. Although she is still growing as an ICU nurse, she has proved to be an asset to our team in more ways than one. The depth of her kindness to her co-workers, patients, and their families is beyond anything I think I have seen in a nurse. Regardless of the patient assignment she is given, you can guarantee that patient care is her priority, and she does it with a compassionate approach, ensuring each and every patient that they are her priority. Her calming ability is unmatched by her soft-spoken voice, gentleness, and kindness with everyone she encounters. She has a way of letting patients and families know that everything will be ok and if things should go in a different way, you can believe Lauren is right there with them consoling them, talking to them, giving them that extra tender loving care, they need in that moment. 

Providing Skills Care to Patients and Families: In Lauren's short time here with us, I have watched her growth and been amazed at how hard she works, not just with the crashing, super sick patient, but also with the elderly demented patient that is confused, scared, or just does not want to be alone. Lauren is always vigilant about seeking out additional information and helps whenever she is met with any patient care issue that she feels she might need help with. She researches medications and procedures, asks appropriate questions, and never runs away from any issue. At any given moment of the shift, you will find her bedside with her patients and families attending to necessary treatments or ensuring that everything is going the way it is supposed to from patient care and procedures to family care and assessing their needs.

Informing and Educating Patients and Families: Families play a large role in the care of our patients in the ICU and Lauren 100% an advocate for both her patient and their loved ones. Patients and families tend to have a lot of questions, which can be repetitive and take away from other aspects of patient care, but Lauren never gets rattled. She spends that extra time talking to everyone in the room, providing education, reassurance, and kindness to all that are in need. She is approachable and easy to talk to with a welcoming demeanor and smile that instantly puts patients and families at ease. 

Offering a Voice of Hope and Love to Patients and Families: In the ICU, we all believe firmly that everyone should hold onto hope and feel loved. Lauren is no exception to the rule. It's never easy to tell someone that their loved one isn't going to survive this illness or injury or to have to tell a patient's loved ones that as hard as we tried, we lost them. It is something we all struggle with, just as I know Lauren does at times, but she never hides from talking to these families and offering kindness, compassion, hope, and love to each and every person present. She comforts patients and families with honesty, integrity, and empathy for all that they are experiencing. When no one can find the words, Lauren knows how to reach them and help them understand.

Touching the Lives of Others: With all that Lauren has brought to the ICU, it's clear to see why I am nominating her for The DAISY Award. She touches lives every day and not just the lives of her patients and their families. She also touches the lives of her co-workers. I've heard people say that they have wanted to be a nurse their whole life, but rarely do I look at someone and think they were born to be a nurse. However, every time I see Lauren in her element, I see. I know for a fact that she was born to do what she does. It just comes naturally to her. The profession of nursing is better because she is a part of it. The ICU is a better place because of her hard work and dedication. Our patients are better off because she is in service to them each and every shift. Lauren is so deserving of this award and recognition, and it is my hope that you will agree with me and so many others that feel Lauren is the perfect representation of what a DAISY Nurse is.