Cathy Peterson
January 2025
Cathy
Peterson
,
RNC
NICU
Mary Bridge Children's Hospital
Tacoma
,
WA
United States
Not only does Cathy care for her patients, but she also shows care for the staff she works with. She is a team player, educator, and advocate for nurses.
Cathy has worked in healthcare for 45+ years. She began her career as an LPN, working in labor and delivery and welcoming new lives into the world. As a single mother, Cathy worked hard to earn her registered nursing degree while still working in the hospital. She has shown dedication, resilience, and perseverance to better herself, her education, and the care she provides to others.
After working in labor and delivery, Cathy moved to care for infants and families in the NICU. I have been working side by side with Cathy for 10+ years now. At the bedside, Cathy is an active participant in bettering the lives of the infants in the NICU while providing holistic family care. With infants as her priority, she educates their families so they are comfortable caring for their medically fragile children with confidence. Cathy shows compassion, forgiveness, and hope for these families who often find themselves in situations out of their control. When tensions are high, and outcomes are unknown, Cathy reminds us of the human element that is often forgotten when going through the daily tasks of nursing care. She maintains professionalism while being herself and showing compassion for others.
Not only does Cathy care for her patients, but she also shows care for the staff she works with. She is a team player, educator, and advocate for nurses. Cathy has precepted many times over her career. She pulls you in for new experiences or learning opportunities, whether it's your first day on the floor or you've been here for years. The experience she brings to the unit through years of service outweighs what you can learn just by reading new policies or the latest evidence-based practice. She incorporates her instincts and nursing judgment, which is truly indescribable. She is a dedicated member of multiple unit-based and hospital committees, including the Central Line Maintenance Team and the GROW committee (formerly PEP Steering Committee). Cathy's dedication to educating others extends beyond the hospital. She volunteers her time to the Pacific Northwest Academy of Neonatal Nursing board to organize conferences for the hospitals in the surrounding area. These conferences are held twice a year and serve as continuing education opportunities.
In professional and personal ways, she is flexible and selfless. From adjusting her work schedule to help others with conflicts to offering rides to the airport, she always lends a helping hand. With her fast-approaching retirement this year, Cathy is an excellent candidate for the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award because of her friendship, wisdom, and truly caring abilities, which I have been lucky to benefit from. Her absence will be felt across the unit but I know she will be referenced for years to come!"
***
Cathy has been with MultiCare since 1978; she started as an LPN in Labor and Delivery. She worked in that unit for over 10 years before she came to the NICU, where she stayed. Cathy became an RN in the 90's. Cathy has been the glue for this unit since she started; she will be missed, and her lack of presence will not go unnoticed. She can care for the sickest of babies from birth until they graduate from the NICU, and families love her. Cathy is always there to help a co-worker in need or just remember their birthday. She is the first to bring you her famous chicken noodle soup when you are sick, had surgery or a death in the family. She is the first to raise money for people or causes, such as the March of Dimes, Festival of Trees, bunco for Babies, cystic fibrosis walks, bake sales, auctions, and a NICU family coworker in need.
Cathy will make sure a special day is not missed, whether it's a baby shower, bridal shower, retirement, or big birthday. She is an advocate for her patients, staff, and the unit. She has always stood by what she feels is right. She has joined many committees in these 45 years and gives 110% in whatever she does. I have been fortunate enough to belong to her Journal club group for over a decade, this group with her guidance has grown into a mini family. Our journal club members keep coming whether they retire or leave our unit. Cathy has not slowed down over the years; actually, she is hard to keep up with as she belongs to so many groups, as well as her dedication to her job and the babies. Cathy's humor and generosity are unmatched. We will all be forever grateful for all she has done for every one of us and how much she has helped build our NICU to what it is today.
After working in labor and delivery, Cathy moved to care for infants and families in the NICU. I have been working side by side with Cathy for 10+ years now. At the bedside, Cathy is an active participant in bettering the lives of the infants in the NICU while providing holistic family care. With infants as her priority, she educates their families so they are comfortable caring for their medically fragile children with confidence. Cathy shows compassion, forgiveness, and hope for these families who often find themselves in situations out of their control. When tensions are high, and outcomes are unknown, Cathy reminds us of the human element that is often forgotten when going through the daily tasks of nursing care. She maintains professionalism while being herself and showing compassion for others.
Not only does Cathy care for her patients, but she also shows care for the staff she works with. She is a team player, educator, and advocate for nurses. Cathy has precepted many times over her career. She pulls you in for new experiences or learning opportunities, whether it's your first day on the floor or you've been here for years. The experience she brings to the unit through years of service outweighs what you can learn just by reading new policies or the latest evidence-based practice. She incorporates her instincts and nursing judgment, which is truly indescribable. She is a dedicated member of multiple unit-based and hospital committees, including the Central Line Maintenance Team and the GROW committee (formerly PEP Steering Committee). Cathy's dedication to educating others extends beyond the hospital. She volunteers her time to the Pacific Northwest Academy of Neonatal Nursing board to organize conferences for the hospitals in the surrounding area. These conferences are held twice a year and serve as continuing education opportunities.
In professional and personal ways, she is flexible and selfless. From adjusting her work schedule to help others with conflicts to offering rides to the airport, she always lends a helping hand. With her fast-approaching retirement this year, Cathy is an excellent candidate for the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award because of her friendship, wisdom, and truly caring abilities, which I have been lucky to benefit from. Her absence will be felt across the unit but I know she will be referenced for years to come!"
***
Cathy has been with MultiCare since 1978; she started as an LPN in Labor and Delivery. She worked in that unit for over 10 years before she came to the NICU, where she stayed. Cathy became an RN in the 90's. Cathy has been the glue for this unit since she started; she will be missed, and her lack of presence will not go unnoticed. She can care for the sickest of babies from birth until they graduate from the NICU, and families love her. Cathy is always there to help a co-worker in need or just remember their birthday. She is the first to bring you her famous chicken noodle soup when you are sick, had surgery or a death in the family. She is the first to raise money for people or causes, such as the March of Dimes, Festival of Trees, bunco for Babies, cystic fibrosis walks, bake sales, auctions, and a NICU family coworker in need.
Cathy will make sure a special day is not missed, whether it's a baby shower, bridal shower, retirement, or big birthday. She is an advocate for her patients, staff, and the unit. She has always stood by what she feels is right. She has joined many committees in these 45 years and gives 110% in whatever she does. I have been fortunate enough to belong to her Journal club group for over a decade, this group with her guidance has grown into a mini family. Our journal club members keep coming whether they retire or leave our unit. Cathy has not slowed down over the years; actually, she is hard to keep up with as she belongs to so many groups, as well as her dedication to her job and the babies. Cathy's humor and generosity are unmatched. We will all be forever grateful for all she has done for every one of us and how much she has helped build our NICU to what it is today.