I was admitted to the KP 14 unit due to a spontaneous pneumothorax and was very distressed and upset about the whole situation. It happened overnight, so I was unable to get in contact with any friends for emotional support. I also have no family in NYC, so I wasn't able to have familial support during the event either. In the ED, I went through the chest tube insertion procedure alone, and it was extremely painful and distressing. By the end of it, I was crying and very upset that I had to spend the next few days in the hospital without the support of my family being around. I was transferred to KP 14 in the morning, and Madison Kammerer, RN was my nurse, and she turned my WHOLE DAY around. 
 
I had just been crying; I was in severe pain; I was extremely nauseous, and Madison welcomed me to the floor with a big smile. After going through a hellish night, it was so nice to be welcomed to my temporary home with a warm smile and attentive care. She made sure that everything was set for me in my room. She was (and is) an EXPERT nurse and crossed her t's and dotted her i's with my care. 
   
When I was first arriving on the floor and still distressed, Madison talked to me and got to know me while adjusting the room to my needs. We found out that she was in the same school program that I am in right now. We talked about the teachers we had and the assignments we've done. She asked me about my future plans, and we talked about her job. It was a wonderful distraction from the loneliness and pain I was experiencing. She really took the time to get to know me.
     
While we were waiting for anti-nausea meds, she didn't just wait around until the order was put in, she immediately employed every non-pharmacological approach to ensure my comfort by getting me cold ice packs, ice chips, etc. My care team tried to employ a non-opioid pain management plan; however, this was unrealistic. Having a collapsed lung and a chest tube stuck between my ribs, irritating one of the most sensitive parts of my body, was extremely painful. Madison saw how much pain I was in and that it was limiting my mobility, and she advocated on my behalf for better pain management, which I received. Because I was more comfortable, I was able to get up and walk around. I thank Madison for advocating for me and helping me to get up to walk.
   
Above all, Madison talked about how much she loves her job, and it showed in the care I received from her. Everything she did, she did with a smile, and this is NOT an exaggeration. She didn't just manage my chest tube and pneumothorax. She didn't just treat my condition; she treated my whole person. She talked to me and comforted me until my anxiety had lessened. She made sure I wasn't in pain and distressed. She ensured that I was able to mobilize to speed my recovery. She offered a genuine human connection while also caring for my condition.
   
I ended up running into Madison on the street the other day just by happenstance. She gave me a big hug and told me that she had been thinking about me, hoping that I had gotten better and that everything had turned out fine. She is one of the sweetest people I've met in a long time.  
   
Because she does everything a good nurse is supposed to do, because she does it all with a smile, because she genuinely cares for her patients and loves her job, and because she gets to know her patients and treats the whole person - not just the condition, I give my biggest and warmest recommendation for Madison Kammerer, RN to receive The DAISY Award. 
   
Thank you, Madison, for being there for me and making me feel safe and cared for in one of my most vulnerable moments. You've left a lasting impression on me in the most positive way.