Amanda Osborn
August 2025
Amanda
Osborn
,
BSN, RN
Emergency Department
Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center
Sacramento
,
CA
United States
Her courage to speak up, combined with her clinical expertise and excellent communication, truly made a difference—and quite possibly saved a life.
I am honored to nominate Amanda for the DAISY Award. Amanda is an exceptionally skilled and dedicated emergency department nurse who consistently goes above and beyond to ensure her patients receive the highest standard of care. She is not only clinically competent but a fierce and compassionate advocate for her patients—especially in critical moments when every second matters.
In our fast-paced and often unpredictable ED, I know without a doubt that if Amanda is caring for a patient—no matter how sick they are—they are in the best possible hands. Her ability to assess a situation rapidly, anticipate needs, and communicate effectively gives her patients an extraordinary level of protection and advocacy. She is never afraid to speak up when something isn’t right, and she always ensures the right people are involved when decisions need to be escalated.
One particular situation stands out and demonstrates the essence of Amanda’s advocacy and clinical judgment. A critically ill patient presented with severe hypoxia and worsening acidosis. Despite concerning blood gas results and visible signs of decompensation, the attending physician was initially hesitant to proceed with intubation. Amanda, recognizing the urgency of the situation, immediately voiced her concerns. She calmly and professionally used evidence-based language and communicated clearly why intubation was not only appropriate but essential. She escalated the situation to the assistant nurse manager in a timely and appropriate way, ensuring that the patient’s rapidly declining status was not overlooked.
Because of Amanda’s decisive action and clinical advocacy, the patient was intubated promptly and stabilized before further deterioration occurred. Her courage to speak up, combined with her clinical expertise and excellent communication, truly made a difference—and quite possibly saved a life.
Amanda exemplifies what it means to be a DAISY Nurse: compassionate, skilled, courageous, and committed to doing what is right for her patients, no matter the circumstance. It is an honor to work alongside her and witness the impact she has on patients and the entire ED team every day.
In our fast-paced and often unpredictable ED, I know without a doubt that if Amanda is caring for a patient—no matter how sick they are—they are in the best possible hands. Her ability to assess a situation rapidly, anticipate needs, and communicate effectively gives her patients an extraordinary level of protection and advocacy. She is never afraid to speak up when something isn’t right, and she always ensures the right people are involved when decisions need to be escalated.
One particular situation stands out and demonstrates the essence of Amanda’s advocacy and clinical judgment. A critically ill patient presented with severe hypoxia and worsening acidosis. Despite concerning blood gas results and visible signs of decompensation, the attending physician was initially hesitant to proceed with intubation. Amanda, recognizing the urgency of the situation, immediately voiced her concerns. She calmly and professionally used evidence-based language and communicated clearly why intubation was not only appropriate but essential. She escalated the situation to the assistant nurse manager in a timely and appropriate way, ensuring that the patient’s rapidly declining status was not overlooked.
Because of Amanda’s decisive action and clinical advocacy, the patient was intubated promptly and stabilized before further deterioration occurred. Her courage to speak up, combined with her clinical expertise and excellent communication, truly made a difference—and quite possibly saved a life.
Amanda exemplifies what it means to be a DAISY Nurse: compassionate, skilled, courageous, and committed to doing what is right for her patients, no matter the circumstance. It is an honor to work alongside her and witness the impact she has on patients and the entire ED team every day.