Since meeting Annie and working directly in the Emergency Department (ED), I have seen Annie exemplify what it means to be not just a DAISY Nurse, but a nurse of Providence. She shows up every day demonstrating her commitment and oath of being a nurse and advocate for her patients and team members. On this specific day, I witnessed Annie truly live the mission and values of Providence through her compassion and dignity for this one patient. 

In an unusually busy day for our acute RN staff, we admitted a patient from an assisted living facility. Ultimately it was decided the patient would transition to comfort care for end of life. After the initial medical decision to transition to comfort care, family was not reachable again. His nurses, including Annie, attempted multiple times to contact this patient’s family to update on the quick decline of the patient’s health and likeliness that he would shortly pass in the ED. 

On a day when Annie was met again and again with challenging and acute needs of her patients, Annie made sure this patient did not die alone. She coordinated cares for her other patients with colleagues to provide exceptional and compassionate care for this patient, who died a short time later, with Annie at their side. My role in the department provides the ability to see the extraordinary care our nursing staff brings to the patients of Providence. When Annie is on shift, I know that our patients and family members will be provided with compassion, dignity, and excellence when in her care.

Note: This is Annie's 2nd DAISY Award!