There was only one RN on this unit for this shift (multiple call-ins), and the RN (E...this is me) had only been at this facility since September and had never been a charge nurse at this facility before. Dorothy went above and beyond to help me take care of the patients on our floor. There was another LPN on this shift as well, and we had to get a nurse from the 8th floor to sit with a 1:1 patient. So, there were 2 LPNs, 2 RNs for the patients on our unit that night, as well as a sitter patient.

Dorothy walked me through the requirements for being a charge nurse, as well as helped me, the other LPN, and the other RN with incontinence care (we didn't have any techs), repositioning, getting vitals, basically anything she could do to help the veterans and her team. I don't think we got lunch that night from the bed alarms, confused patients, and impaired ability patients. She also helped identify the symptoms of a patient who started becoming hypovolemia, and we were able to prevent a Rapid Response.

Dorothy gives her all every single shift, and I don't have to worry that something will be missed on the veterans she cares for. She volunteers to help her team members rather than waiting to be asked for help from others. She walks float nurses through our charting requirements and helps them to make sure their shift goes smoother. She develops a rapport with her patients and can get the crankiest of patients to take their medications, lowers the combativeness of combative patients by her demeanor, encourages team members who feel overwhelmed and stressed and listens to veterans and teammates when they just need to vent about things. She takes the time to help others. Dorothy exemplifies the DAISY Award every day in some way.