Therese Chesnutt
February 2026
Therese
Chesnutt
,
MSN, RN, CPAN, CAPA, CNML
Procedural PACU
Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
Washington
,
DC
United States
Therese Chesnutt is a role model and inspiration to everyone fortunate enough to work with her.
Therese Chesnutt is the heart of our unit and leads with compassion, strength, and trust. Therese is a fierce advocate for her staff and supports everyone on the unit each and every day. She leads not only from her office, but also from the busy bedside next to her staff. She is also a lifelong learner and encourages our unit to continue our education and get certified in our specialty.
There was one particular day when our unit was short quite a few nurses, and the case load was abnormally heavy. I looked up from the nurse's station, and Therese was standing there, stethoscope in hand, ready to work. She was ready to cover and be a charge nurse on the unit, so that we could have more recovery nurses. She announced to us that she was ordering the unit pizza for lunch to bring up the spirits and give everyone energy for this difficult day. When she is not working in her office or in a meeting, she is present in our unit to lend a helping hand and is always trying to make the best out of a hard situation.
Not only does she help on the unit when we are having staffing challenges, but she also makes sure that everyone gets the opportunity to go to special events that the hospital organizes. For example, she covered each member of our team on the day of the Fall Book Fest so that they had a chance to go check it out for at least 10 minutes. When the most recent SPIRIT Gala came around, Therese covered our later start team members so that they could enjoy the Gala, celebrating their hard work.
Therese is also a role model for our unit when it comes to continuing education and professional development. She is active in the Professional Development Council as a director representative and is the Chair of the Patient Monitoring committee. Whenever there is a chance to go to a conference or get certified in our specialty, Therese is the first person to announce the opportunities to our unit in huddle and through multiple emails.
Therese makes certification a rewarding and proud moment for all of us on the unit. She always brings a personalized cake and makes an announcement to the unit, making the newly certified nurse feel extra special that day. Therese encourages nurses to do the Clinical Advancement Program (CAP) as well. A few weeks ago, she called me into her office to talk about the new CAP application online. She was very persuasive and worked with me to come up with a project that would benefit our unit and help me reach my goal of becoming a Clinical Nurse IV.
Earlier this year, our unit moved to a new location, and what could have been a very stressful planning and transition period turned out to be an exciting and fun time for our unit. She made sure that we were made aware of the transition months earlier so that we could be involved and have a voice in what we thought would help us thrive on the new unit. Therese would always be there with paper and pen, every day up until the move, to write down any suggestions or questions she could possibly get answers to.
She helped ease the anxiety of moving to a new location by taking time to run through a simulation with us to mimic what an average day would look like on our new unit. She stayed hours after her workday to make sure everyone got a chance to participate and feel comfortable with the new flow of patients. Therese even brought us baked goods on one of our last days at our old unit to celebrate the start of something new. What at first seemed like a sad end of an era turned into something exciting and very enjoyable.
Therese is exactly the kind of leader I hope to be one day. Her compassion and energy are contagious.
***
Therese is a very extraordinary leader who showed us that you can be in charge and still be levelheaded. She leads us not from behind her desk but from the unit itself. When we are short-staffed, she works alongside us without hesitation. She will be pushing beds, answering phones, responding to call light and stepping in wherever help is needed. She is always visible whenever there is something critical happening in our unit. Her presence makes us all feel comfortable and supported. She will do any tasks despite her level.
Therese has an incredible awareness of the needs of both patients and staff, when she sees someone looking overwhelmed, she always comes to ask "what do you need" or she'll have someone help us. She ensures that our unit is well-stocked with supplies so we can provide safe and efficient care. She would take a tour of the central supply to make sure we have what we need.
I've raised concerns and frustrations to her; she listens, advocates for us, and makes sure issues are addressed. Because of this, I feel valued and supported. She genuinely cares about our personal lives, too. When I worked on my birthday, she told me that I should have told her and would have taken me off the schedule. The evening shift has limited staffing and only two nurses working from 1100 to 2300. She accommodated my request even on short notice because my only child is coming to visit me. I called off sick a few times when my dog passed away, and her level of consideration was so real and rare.
Therese is also incredibly supportive of staff recognition and morale. During our spirit award ceremony, she stayed late so the award recipients could attend the celebration, be recognized, and fully enjoy the moment. She sacrificed her own time to make sure others felt appreciated.
Perhaps one of her most admirable qualities is how she supports the professional growth of her staff. When she sees talent and potential, she actively encourages them to move up the ladder. She even supports staff transferring to other units if it means career advancement for them, even when it means our unit loses a strong team member. She puts people first, always wanting what is best for them, not what is easiest for herself.
I am a veteran nurse and can go anywhere I choose to, but her compassion inspires me to be loyal to her. I have high respect for my boss because I know in my heart that she will stand up for me and that knowing she has my back allows me to work with confidence.
Therese Chesnutt is a role model and inspiration to everyone fortunate enough to work with her. She truly embodies the spirit of the DAISY Award.
***
Therese Chesnutt's leadership is defined by integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. She embodies the very qualities that elevate nursing practice and create an environment where both patients and staff thrive.
Therese leads by example in every sense. She fosters a workplace culture that is productive, supportive, and centered on delivering the highest quality of care. Her ability to listen, relate, and advocate for her staff has built a team grounded in trust and mutual respect. She sets high expectations, yet supports each of us in meeting them, guiding with clarity, fairness, and genuine compassion.
One of the most remarkable demonstrations of her leadership was the recent transition of 7 West PACU to the Pavilion. Therese managed this complex move with exceptional organization and resilience. She worked long hours, including weekends, to ensure every detail was addressed and that the transition was seamless for both staff and patients. Her presence, calmness, and hands-on approach turned what could have been a stressful process into a smooth and successful experience.
Therese is never above stepping in when her team needs her. Whether covering lunches, assisting with discharges, or helping during staffing shortages, she consistently shows that leadership is service. Her willingness to be present on the front lines strengthens our team and reinforces the sense of unity she has cultivated. Her commitment to excellence consistently elevated the quality of patient care.
Because of the environment Therese has created, work is not just manageable — it is a happy place. She brings people together, addresses issues directly and constructively, and ensures that every team member feels valued and supported. Her resilience and dedication inspire us daily.
Therese is not only an extraordinary nurse leader; she is the heart of our unit. Her impact is felt in the quality of care we deliver, the teamwork we share, and the pride we take in our work. She exemplifies the spirit of the DAISY Award, and I cannot think of a more deserving recipient.
There was one particular day when our unit was short quite a few nurses, and the case load was abnormally heavy. I looked up from the nurse's station, and Therese was standing there, stethoscope in hand, ready to work. She was ready to cover and be a charge nurse on the unit, so that we could have more recovery nurses. She announced to us that she was ordering the unit pizza for lunch to bring up the spirits and give everyone energy for this difficult day. When she is not working in her office or in a meeting, she is present in our unit to lend a helping hand and is always trying to make the best out of a hard situation.
Not only does she help on the unit when we are having staffing challenges, but she also makes sure that everyone gets the opportunity to go to special events that the hospital organizes. For example, she covered each member of our team on the day of the Fall Book Fest so that they had a chance to go check it out for at least 10 minutes. When the most recent SPIRIT Gala came around, Therese covered our later start team members so that they could enjoy the Gala, celebrating their hard work.
Therese is also a role model for our unit when it comes to continuing education and professional development. She is active in the Professional Development Council as a director representative and is the Chair of the Patient Monitoring committee. Whenever there is a chance to go to a conference or get certified in our specialty, Therese is the first person to announce the opportunities to our unit in huddle and through multiple emails.
Therese makes certification a rewarding and proud moment for all of us on the unit. She always brings a personalized cake and makes an announcement to the unit, making the newly certified nurse feel extra special that day. Therese encourages nurses to do the Clinical Advancement Program (CAP) as well. A few weeks ago, she called me into her office to talk about the new CAP application online. She was very persuasive and worked with me to come up with a project that would benefit our unit and help me reach my goal of becoming a Clinical Nurse IV.
Earlier this year, our unit moved to a new location, and what could have been a very stressful planning and transition period turned out to be an exciting and fun time for our unit. She made sure that we were made aware of the transition months earlier so that we could be involved and have a voice in what we thought would help us thrive on the new unit. Therese would always be there with paper and pen, every day up until the move, to write down any suggestions or questions she could possibly get answers to.
She helped ease the anxiety of moving to a new location by taking time to run through a simulation with us to mimic what an average day would look like on our new unit. She stayed hours after her workday to make sure everyone got a chance to participate and feel comfortable with the new flow of patients. Therese even brought us baked goods on one of our last days at our old unit to celebrate the start of something new. What at first seemed like a sad end of an era turned into something exciting and very enjoyable.
Therese is exactly the kind of leader I hope to be one day. Her compassion and energy are contagious.
***
Therese is a very extraordinary leader who showed us that you can be in charge and still be levelheaded. She leads us not from behind her desk but from the unit itself. When we are short-staffed, she works alongside us without hesitation. She will be pushing beds, answering phones, responding to call light and stepping in wherever help is needed. She is always visible whenever there is something critical happening in our unit. Her presence makes us all feel comfortable and supported. She will do any tasks despite her level.
Therese has an incredible awareness of the needs of both patients and staff, when she sees someone looking overwhelmed, she always comes to ask "what do you need" or she'll have someone help us. She ensures that our unit is well-stocked with supplies so we can provide safe and efficient care. She would take a tour of the central supply to make sure we have what we need.
I've raised concerns and frustrations to her; she listens, advocates for us, and makes sure issues are addressed. Because of this, I feel valued and supported. She genuinely cares about our personal lives, too. When I worked on my birthday, she told me that I should have told her and would have taken me off the schedule. The evening shift has limited staffing and only two nurses working from 1100 to 2300. She accommodated my request even on short notice because my only child is coming to visit me. I called off sick a few times when my dog passed away, and her level of consideration was so real and rare.
Therese is also incredibly supportive of staff recognition and morale. During our spirit award ceremony, she stayed late so the award recipients could attend the celebration, be recognized, and fully enjoy the moment. She sacrificed her own time to make sure others felt appreciated.
Perhaps one of her most admirable qualities is how she supports the professional growth of her staff. When she sees talent and potential, she actively encourages them to move up the ladder. She even supports staff transferring to other units if it means career advancement for them, even when it means our unit loses a strong team member. She puts people first, always wanting what is best for them, not what is easiest for herself.
I am a veteran nurse and can go anywhere I choose to, but her compassion inspires me to be loyal to her. I have high respect for my boss because I know in my heart that she will stand up for me and that knowing she has my back allows me to work with confidence.
Therese Chesnutt is a role model and inspiration to everyone fortunate enough to work with her. She truly embodies the spirit of the DAISY Award.
***
Therese Chesnutt's leadership is defined by integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. She embodies the very qualities that elevate nursing practice and create an environment where both patients and staff thrive.
Therese leads by example in every sense. She fosters a workplace culture that is productive, supportive, and centered on delivering the highest quality of care. Her ability to listen, relate, and advocate for her staff has built a team grounded in trust and mutual respect. She sets high expectations, yet supports each of us in meeting them, guiding with clarity, fairness, and genuine compassion.
One of the most remarkable demonstrations of her leadership was the recent transition of 7 West PACU to the Pavilion. Therese managed this complex move with exceptional organization and resilience. She worked long hours, including weekends, to ensure every detail was addressed and that the transition was seamless for both staff and patients. Her presence, calmness, and hands-on approach turned what could have been a stressful process into a smooth and successful experience.
Therese is never above stepping in when her team needs her. Whether covering lunches, assisting with discharges, or helping during staffing shortages, she consistently shows that leadership is service. Her willingness to be present on the front lines strengthens our team and reinforces the sense of unity she has cultivated. Her commitment to excellence consistently elevated the quality of patient care.
Because of the environment Therese has created, work is not just manageable — it is a happy place. She brings people together, addresses issues directly and constructively, and ensures that every team member feels valued and supported. Her resilience and dedication inspire us daily.
Therese is not only an extraordinary nurse leader; she is the heart of our unit. Her impact is felt in the quality of care we deliver, the teamwork we share, and the pride we take in our work. She exemplifies the spirit of the DAISY Award, and I cannot think of a more deserving recipient.