It has been said that nursing isn’t a job; it's a calling. Rachel Privette is living proof of that saying and gives it meaning with every patient she touches. To be cared for by Rachel is to be cared for by a compassionate, respectful, and calming person. When the task load seems undoable, Rachel takes the challenge in stride. She has the strength and the wisdom to keep her composure even in the most precarious situations. She never cuts corners, and patients feel safe when they see her enter their space.

A patient with multiple abdominal fistulas came to the hospital for possible surgical intervention and further management of these fistulas. It was a challenging situation, and the staff often struggled to find ways to keep the leaking fistulas from making the patient uncomfortable and keeping her dry. These fistulas had many sites from the abdomen where stool and other gastric content would flow all over the patient and the bed she was lying on. The patient was feeling hopeless as there was no surgical intervention to be done immediately and no ending to this situation in sight. Rachel took this patient and methodically placed drainage bags over each leaking site. This took an exuberant amount of patience and a great deal of strategy. Methodically placing bags at specific angles, ensuring the drainage points wouldn’t impede her daily life. The end product was truly an art that the staff could replicate and keep the patient comfortable. The patient's skin was protected, and she was very satisfied with the end result.

Rachel took the time to explain her thought process to this patient in a way that she could understand to help alleviate her anxiety. She remained patient and answered endless questions with a calm and reassuring presence. She managed to connect with this patient on a personal level and extended that sense to her family as well. I believe that Rachel embodies everything that the DAISY Award represents. She is not only a skilled and knowledgeable nurse but also a compassionate caregiver who makes a profound impact on the lives of her patients. Rachel inspires her coworkers and remains a level-headed and calming presence in her practice. I’m proud to work with her.