I had two emergency surgeries following a medical complication from an outpatient procedure. When I was awakened from sedation, there was a lot I didn’t know about what happened in the surgeries and what my recovery road was going to look like. Rhonda was my nurse when I woke up. Her calm and realistic attitude gave me a head start in getting my own mentality in check regarding my recovery. I am so thankful that Rhonda was there to answer my questions and patiently attempt to understand my writing as I was still intubated. Once I was extubated, Rhonda made me laugh countless times. I strongly recall arguing with her about what day it was, and although she, of course, was right, she kindly told me she would “go check” to make sure. She completely made me feel like I woke up on the “right” foot.

Her nursing did not stop at her ICU shifts, though. After I was moved to the med-surg unit, Rhonda came to visit and check on me numerous times. One of those times, I was very tired, and she jokingly patted my bed and told me to get up because it was time to play. Her energetic spirit and attentive care truly made my recovery have the most positive outlook.

When I was hospitalized two more times later, I didn’t feel afraid because I knew Rhonda would be there to come and see me. Because of Rhonda, I was able to get better and grow through the experience, rather than feeling alone in the fact that something terrible had happened to me. Two months later, she continues to check in with me every week to see how my road to recovery is progressing.

Rhonda is truly deserving of the DAISY Award as she was not just an excellent representative of her unit and TMC as a whole, but also completely encapsulated what an excellent nurse should be—calm, compassionate, and kind beyond her job. It was an honor to meet Rhonda during my hospital stay. I will consider her not just as my caring nurse, but as a friend for life.