Laurie has been a nurse for 45 years and continues to offer the best patient care possible. I could not speak highly enough of the care Laurie provides on my own so I gathered memories from several PICU team members. I have attached the kind words staff members have to say about Laurie Taylor.  

I have had the pleasure of working alongside Laurie for a while now, and the top two characteristics that stand out are her wealth of knowledge and her ability to stay cool, calm, and collected no matter the situation. I have never seen her get upset or raddled by anything. She keeps her cool and composure, and that really helps others around her (especially newer nurses) remain calm themselves. She is always approachable with a question and lends a helping hand whenever she can. 

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I would like to say Laurie goes above and beyond for her patients. Especially when those patients do not have family frequently at the bedside. There were multiple nightshifts I would come in and even though Laurie had a busy double- she would take the time to bathe, DRESS in an adorable outfit, and do the hair of her patient. She kept her room organized but also family-friendly to encourage family members to take part in these “normal” activities of daily living many PICU patients do not get to participate in. 

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One scenario that sticks out to me was a code sim that I did with Laurie where her humble expertise shined. In a very respectful way, she led both code scenarios including recognizing changes in the patient’s rhythm on the Zoll, directing the provider to the corresponding PALS algorithm and recommending appropriate treatment. In addition to her humble expertise, Laurie treats team members, patients, and families with an unmatched level of kindness and brings a degree of fun and flare to an often challenging environment. 

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Laurie goes above and beyond for her patients, her calm and caring presence, and impacted hundreds of patients over the years. Every child Laurie cares for benefits from her competence, patience, and thorough care.  If you walk past Laurie's bedspace, expect to see her patients bathed, have a bow in their hair, and feel her nurturing and loving care.  Laurie also cares for her coworkers, she often brings in treats and decorations for Mother's Day, holidays, or other special occasions, bringing cheer to our unit.  Her devotion to her patients as well as co-workers is felt throughout our unit, I feel lucky to have worked alongside Laurie for over 11 years now.   

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I would just like to say how Laurie goes above and beyond for every patient and the unit. She stocks our hair kit with bows and other hair accessories, making patients feel better while in the hospital. She bought the unit weighted blankets because she knows how much our small patients enjoy them and are soothed by them. And lastly, this Mother’s Day, she had gotten every mom on the unit a Crumbl cookie and went around and asked each of them what they would like. I saw how many moms appreciated this while their child was in the PICU.   

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Laurie oriented me as a new nurse to CHCO and helped me work my day shifts and learn what I needed. When I took the CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) she gave me study questions and encouraged me to do it! She always has a smile each morning and evening as she leaves.  She is committed to caring for each patient and provides the individual care each child needs. In the 38 years I have worked with her, she has been a strong patient advocate and has given the special touch, care, knowledge, and experience that only she can. 

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Laurie is an exceptional nurse with the biggest heart amongst us. She goes above and beyond treating her patients with dignity, humanity, unparalleled care, and attention to detail. I have learned from her both as a nurse and now an NP and I feel so lucky to have worked alongside her.   

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Laurie has truly been such a gift to our PICU!  

Laurie Taylor is the perfect blend of compassion, wisdom, strength, steadfastness, and gumption – it is this perfect blend that has made her such a talented PICU nurse for so many years!  She is compassionate to the patients and their families, showing sympathy and empathy when interacting.  Her many years of service have given her not only a book knowledge of our patients but also an intuition that she knows exactly when and how to advocate for her patients and families.  In a unit that can be filled with trauma, sorrow, and grief, Laurie fills it with joy by dressing up for the season (each and everyone! – Easter, St. Patty’s Day, Thanksgiving, 4th of July, etc.) to bring a smile to the faces of her smallest patients.  Day after day, weekend after weekend, holiday after holiday, season after season, year after year, decade after decade, Laurie has served our PICU – caring for our patients and families, teaching not only our nurses, but all our healthcare providers in the PICU, as well as coming in on her days off to attend committees and work on projects to make our PICU one of the best in the country! And finally, it’s her gumption that allows her to dress down the most experienced of providers if that is in the best interest of her patient – her patients come first at any cost! 

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Laurie is an amazing nurse who brings incredible compassion and clinical experience to all of her patients. She advocates on their behalf, and that of their families, and you always see her being so kind and caring as she provides care for her patients. Our patients in the PICU and our team are so lucky to have had her through all of these years. 

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Laurie gives 200% to all her patients, regardless of diagnosis or underlying conditions. How do I say this in a PC way--- the more special, the better.  She gives her all to these kids.  She taught me how to wash a patient's hair with an EVD back in the day!  The pretty hair supply bin in the unit is one example of how she dedicates herself to all patients while knowing something as simple as a cute hair tie or barrette can give a sick patient or their family a sense of normalcy.   She also does the kindest gestures for staff throughout the hospital-- bringing in a basket of candy for the security guards at the employee entrance, for example.  She advocates hard for her patients and develops beautiful relationships with the parents during the PICU stay.  One other big thing that comes to mind is that she has rolled with the punches of technological advancements in both EMR and equipment longer than anyone else.  

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Laurie is an inspiration for the entire unit. She is always willing to answer questions and share her wisdom with every nurse. Her care for patients is unmatched. The true love and care she gives to her patients is amazing to watch. I would love to be a nurse like her one day.  

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When I think of a DAISY Nurse, I think of Laurie. I was shocked to learn that in her 45 years of nursing here, she has never been honored. She is the epitome of caring and compassion. She takes phenomenal care of her patients, and they are always immaculate. There isn’t just one example; ALL of Laurie’s patients get the best care, and you can always count on their hair being washed and done, a fresh bath, and new linens, and that is in addition to all the critical care nursing they require. In addition to this she has such a kind and generous heart. She supplies the unit with hair supplies that I know I have personally used to rescue many little girls’ beautiful hair after a tragic trauma. She has supplied weighted blankets, swings, and clothing, all for a child's sake... Laurie is a core member of this caring community called to honor the sacred trust of our patients, families, and each other through humble expertise, generous service, and boundless creativity. This is the moment… to recognize the incredible care Laurie provides each and every day. 

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Dang, there is so much to say about Laurie. She goes beyond for her patients, not just in the exemplary medical care she gives them but also from an emotional/ psychosocial perspective.  She recently had a child that loved "baby Yoda."  When Laurie heard this, she came to work dressed in a baby Yoda shirt, socks, and headband.  She always wears fun things to make the patients and families smile. It is such a wonderful distraction for them as they are going through the hardest times of their lives. 

Another recent moment was when Laurie was still at her patient's bedside at 2000 (her shifts end at 1908).  When I asked her why she was still here and that she needed to leave (she was back the next day), she replied, "well this little baby was crying, I just can't leave him".  To Laurie, this is so much more than a job.  She is such an inspiration to all of us and constantly reminds us to be present and give our patients and families all the empathy and kindness we have. God forbid if my child were ever in the hospital, I would feel safe and relieved knowing she was in Laurie's care. 

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Laurie Taylor is the most caring, compassionate nurse I have ever worked with. She bought many Mama Roo infant swings for the PICU. Every Mother's Day, she brings treats in for our patients' mothers. Our candy jars in the PICU would be empty if it were not for Laurie.  Laurie is a walking encyclopedia and the most amazing resource for nursing and healthcare questions.    

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Laurie is the nurse everyone wants to be when they're in nursing school, and somehow, she has been that nurse for 45+ years. She takes immaculate care of her patients and cares for each child as if they are her own. I know families also feel extremely cared for by Laurie. There is no one who deserves a DAISY Award more. 

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Laurie is one of the most selfless, compassionate, and dedicated people I have the honor to know. She has gone above and beyond for our patients and families within the PICU. She donates shampoo, conditioner, brushes, hair accessories, clothes, and more to all the patients the PICU cares for. This past Mother's Day, she brought each patient's mother a Crumbl cookie to celebrate Mother's Day in a place nobody ever imagines they will have to be. She always has a positive attitude and is willing to go the extra mile. When you see Laurie in the unit, you will see someone who truly loves her job. She always has a headband and matching apron to make her patients feel more comfortable with the treatments they are receiving in the unit.   
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Laurie is an absolute pleasure to work alongside. She always maintains a positive attitude and provides excellent care to her patients. She provides family-centered care through including, educating, and respecting families. Laurie's diligent patient care truly sets the following nurse up for success.  

One example of Laurie's dedication to our patient's and their well being is that she provides our unit with hair supplies so that we can clean, style, and maintain patient's hair while they are in the ICU.  

Several years ago, I complimented a Children's Hospital of Colorado watch that Laurie was wearing. The next time I saw Laurie, she gave me a watch similar to the one she had at home. It was a selfless, thoughtful gift that meant so much to me as a young nurse in the unit.  

We are so fortunate to have Laurie on our team for so many years, she exemplifies Children's Hospital of Colorado core values for her peers.  

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Laurie Taylor is the Mother Goose of the PICU. We should all strive to give the nursing care that she provides. 
She gives the absolute best care to her patients as she scrubs them to be the cleanest on the unit.  
Laurie is the best patient advocate and isn't afraid to speak up to the providers if she feels something isn't being done.  
Her 45 years of expertise are one to strive for, and she sets the example for newer nurses to hope to one day become. 
If any of my children had to be admitted,  I would hand select her to take care of them, hands down.