Allison is not only an outstanding nurse who is knowledgeable and experienced, she also possesses the caring compassion that make her an exemplary role model who embodies the very essence of nursing.

I was admitted through the ER and underwent surgery for a sensitive issue. I was extremely embarrassed, which was further compounded by the fact that I am an employee at St. Peter's University Hospital and work directly side by side with everyone who cared for me. The night after my surgery, Allison was my nurse. Everything started out okay, but midway through the night things took a turn for the worse. While using the bathroom, I suddenly began to feel very ill and weak. I didn't have the strength to stand and felt like I was going to pass out. Being that I was on the toilet and not dressed, I was mortified to have to call for help, but I was able to take comfort in the fact that Allison was my nurse. She consistently demonstrates the level of professionalism I knew I could trust. I felt I was declining fast, and pulled the call bell. Allison was more than prompt to respond. She knocked on the door and called my name. I told her I felt like I was going to pass out. She came right in, and I could feel her catch me as I began to slump over. I could hear her calling my name, and calling for help, but I could not respond or move. Then everything went dark. I came to in my bed, with the RRT team all around me. They were starting a second IV line, taking vital signs, and drawing labs. I was hooked up to the Zoll and had a nonrebreather mask on. I could barely speak and felt too weak to move. I could hear everyone saying that I had lost a lot of blood and clots, and my blood pressure was extremely low. I was terrified! Thankfully, because of Allison's swift actions and expertise, the team was able to stabilize me right away, without drastic interventions. Had it not been for her and her swift actions, things could have turned out much differently. 

After the RRT, I was still very weak, and it felt like it took much effort to make the slightest move. I was too afraid to sleep, fearing that I might not wake up. Again, Allison was there for me. She checked on me frequently and made sure I was all right. She monitored my vitals regularly, made sure I was staying stable, and put my mind at ease. Despite having other patients and being in charge that night, Allison made me feel as if I were the only one under her care. She was calm, compassionate, caring, and reassuring. She was my angel and savior, and she got me through the night. She saved my life. Her attentiveness, promptness, knowledge, and expertise prevented things from becoming much worse, and her caring and compassion kept me calm and assured me that everything was all right. I could not have been in more competent and capable hands.

As a nurse and two-time recipient of the DAISY Award myself, I know excellent and exemplary nursing care when I see it. Well, this time, I was the recipient of it. As I stated earlier, Allison is the embodiment of the level of care, compassion, professionalism, and expertise that we all strive for here at St. Peter's. It is because of nurses like Allison and her commitment to her patients and profession that St. Peter's has such an outstanding reputation for excellence in nursing care. She is an asset and blessing to our facility and team. There is no one more deserving of the DAISY award than Allison.