I would like to nominate a very special team. This team continues to show their dedication to our patients and in serving our mission. This extraordinary group spent over one hundred days caring for a young autistic man with the mind of a child. It took a toll on every member of this team, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Adding to the ways that nursing care already has those effects naturally. Compassion was shown, even though they had been physically harmed. This staff still strove to provide the absolute best care, all while still caring for an ICU full of other patients. They stand together despite any circumstance and overcome any challenge thrown their way. In addition, these strong associates went through a change of their entire unit process and even helped build and change a unit together. With their strength, they have faced so much, but this is always matched with their level of compassion. We have stood together to sing or pray with a dying patient and cheered for those who get to leave the ICU. The difference they make in patients' lives may not always be seen, but it is always felt. This is an extraordinary group! So, it is my great honor to nominate the MICU/IMCU for this award. 

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The MICU has been the best place I have worked. I've worked cardiac and as a travel RN in MedSurg in 2 different hospitals (so three total). I can safely say this team has brought me so much joy; from the fellow nurses, to the managers, and the ancillary staff I had the pleasure of working with. When you're in the MICU, you get a sense of friendship, dedication, and welcoming. Everyone here works so hard. The word "teamwork" is an understatement and just isn't enough to describe the environment here. The charge nurses check on everyone to make sure they don't need help and make sure we've had our breaks. There have been plenty of days where every single one of us is busy, and the team leads and managers will step out on the floor to help out. What I love about the team is that everyone is not afraid to get their hands dirty...sometimes quite literally! The MICU has been the best place for codes. Now, I know that sounds bad, but hear me out, everyone is eager to help and it flows so well most times. No code is perfect, ever! But I do feel like we have it down pretty well. Our doctors and NPs also make a great difference. I'm pretty sure we have the best providers! They are approachable when you have questions, concerns or just want them to teach you something. Not once have I ever been afraid to ask for help or guidance with a patient - they are quick to act and be there for you. Our providers speak with families every day if they are in the room with the patient. Everyone's goal here is one thing - providing excellent patient care while doing it safely. I recommend that my friends on other floors apply to the ICU every time I talk to them. That's how much I enjoy my job here. Nursing is hard, really hard some days, but the team you work with really makes a difference in how your shift goes. I am beyond thankful for my teammates, doctors, NPs, and managers. We give it our all and really put our hearts into our patient's care.

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I've attached a letter which is one of many that I could include to show the love, care, and compassion we as the MICU try to implement as a whole to accomplish not just Saint Thomas' motto but the image of nursing within the organization. We are a family and even when you leave the MICU, you will forever be our family. Color and/or creed, good or bad, we rally together. We fight hard but we love even harder. Again, even if we don't win, we will always be winners in my book.

To Whom It May Concern - I just wanted to let you know the experience that we had on Station 3. We have never seen so much professionalism and love from your awesome and wonderful staff. They made us feel just like we were at home. I cannot say anything negative about any one person because every nurse, tech, charge nurse, even dietary and housekeeping crew was very wonderful. I would definitely like to give a shout out to Anthony, Todd, Ryan, Hannah, Rose, Kassia, Nate, and there are also others, these nurses that we have named went above and beyond their call of duty. I would recommend any nurse that you have on that unit to any hospital in the world - they are great, genuine, and awesome. We absolutely love each and every one of them. We can't say and express enough how great they were to my husband, myself and our son. When my husband came to his room getting ready for his kidney transplant and getting blood drawn, etc. it was just like we had been on that unit for days and it was just like we had already known the staff because of their professionalism. We would like to thank you all for everything you did to make our stay comfortable, warm and welcomed. God Bless all of you! Keep up the good work. The doctors were ever so polite and kind and very professional as well, great bedside manners. Kyle was awesome as well, he was witty and one in a million. We just can't thank each and every one of you enough - our hearts were full of joy!