Jenniffer Blandino led and participated in the exceptional care of a patient who had a rare skin disease where his skin bled and died rapidly. Jen right away took the lead in all of his care. She had every specialty come to look at him- dermatology, vascular, infectious disease, and wound care. Through these consults, collaborative recommendations were made. The wound care took 1-2 hours minimum, and Jen wrote out detailed instructions for every nurse involved in his care. Jen had explicit instructions, pictures, and labels. In addition, she led a team of nurses to help her in the continuation of care. She created a schedule two weeks at a time, days and nights outlining who was taking care of the patient. If two of the nurses were working, she tried to get them both in the same pod to ensure dressing changes were done properly. Not only was she a leader for the nurses involved, her care for the patient was beyond words. She spent hours and hours with him (beyond wound care) scrubbing every inch of his skin, crying, laughing, and supporting him through this difficult journey. 

The patient made a miraculous recovery and transferred out of our ICU. I truly believe Jen’s perseverance, leadership, and commitment saved the patient, and her leadership and guidance were something I will never forget. I know the patient is so very thankful for her, but as nurses, we are, too. I have attached nominations from a few fellow colleagues, and managers. 

Working night shift, I did not get to work alongside my nominee, Jen, but I frequently have the privilege of continuing care of her patients when she goes home. There is no other nurse I enjoy following more so than Jen. She truthfully embodies the role of the patient advocate. She is professional and articulate, which are absolutely the best qualities in a nurse who spends hours every day with their patient. 

One particular patient was severely ill, in multi-organ failure and intubated, sedated and on CRRT. Jen not only effectively managed all of these devices, but communicated any and all issues for day and night shift in rounds to multiple teams. After the patient was extubated and sedation was removed, new adversities came to light – including his skin. Jen spent hours with him, exfoliating his skin, changing his extensive dressing, and building a rapport with him that undoubtedly contributed to improving his mental well-being while simultaneously getting him physically stronger.

Jen genuinely cares about her patients and takes pride in her work and does it in a way with empathy and comfort. I cannot think of another nurse more deserving than Jen, and I am grateful to call her a colleague and friend.

Jen Blandino is a nurse on the UCSF Medical Intensive Care Unit who not only demonstrates nursing excellence in her years as a clinically strong critical care registered nurse, but, more importantly, role models the compassion that is the foundation of excellent nursing care. She is a patient advocate, effective communicator, team builder, and in our lighthearted unit awards, staff gave her the superlative title “patient whisperer.” What makes Jen stand out is that she uses all these strengths for one purpose, and that is to provide the best care possible for her patients. For this nomination, we would like to highlight one of many patients she has recently cared for where in the process of delivering excellent patient care she demonstrated all her strengths and qualities of a DAISY Nurse.

The patient presented with conditions that we commonly see in our MICU, septic shock, and multi-system organ failure requiring full ICU supportive treatments. Jen managed his care from the time he was admitted clinically unstable up until his clinical condition began to improve, and he was extubated to the disfiguring skin failure. She was a resource for the unit, drawing from her prior experience working in a burn unit, guiding the intense treatment plan of wound care requiring dressing changes throughout the patient’s entire body.

For weeks, Jen cared not only for the patient’s demanding medical needs but also fostered his emotional recovery from his critical condition and the appearance of his skin failure. She developed a staffing plan to provide continuity of care with nurses who had built rapport with the patient so that he could have ongoing support. 

Jen’s above and beyond effort was an inspiration to our unit, and she brought us together to deliver care to a patient who was in a very vulnerable state both clinically and emotionally. On behalf of our unit and the patient’s advocacy to management to recognize her excellence of care, we wholeheartedly nominate Jen Blandino for The DAISY Award.

The patient maintained an ongoing list of his therapeutic accomplishments, attributing all successes to Jen’s encouragement and clinical skill. Jen ensured his pain was controlled and communicated the plan of care to all disciplines so that no small detail would be overlooked. She created a continuity of care team that never missed a shift.

Special kudos go to Jen Blandino, who was the patient’s strong advocate. Jen’s care demonstrates the commitment, intelligence, and devotion that makes miracles possible through outstanding Nursing care.