DAISY Award winners nominated for compassion, calm and confidence

An acute care nurse in the Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital ICU and a Labor and Delivery nurse in The Tuomey Birthplace are this quarter's winners of the nationally recognized DAISY Award for Excellence in Nursing.

Deb Stanton, a team member who has been working extra hours as a site manager in the ICU during the pandemic, wrote that she wanted Carmen Mullins, RN, to be honored for "her professionalism and true compassion toward her patients," especially as she helped a critically ill patient maintain his dignity during his care. Stanton said that as she is helping the clinical team with their safety precautions, she has been "witnessing the delivery of excellent care by all," but Mullins stood out "as a perfect example of inspiring health, serving with compassion and being the difference," all tenets of Prisma Health's stated purpose.

"Carmen was taking care of a patient that required her to perform donning and doffing protective equipment each time she interacted with him," but that cumbersome procedure never slowed her down. "She gave this patient the care required with great compassion, always maintaining his dignity. He could not tell her what he needed, but she always provided the extras to assure her patient was clean and comfortable. She made sure the room was picked up, wiped off the bed and machines, repositioned his arms and legs for comfort, assessed his pressure points." Each time Mullins left, Stanton said, "her patient looked comfortable and cared for with compassion."

Courtney Gainey, Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital's education manager, said, "Our most vulnerable and helpless patients receive outstanding care from nurses who will never be recognized for the above-and-beyond actions they take to ease suffering, prevent harm and improve health. Nurses complete these tasks based solely on their dedication to extraordinary care. It isn't about recognition, it is about compassion. In this case, someone was there to witness these acts of excellence and, more importantly, took the time to recognize it."

Kristian Pritchard, RN, was nominated by a fellow nurse for the calm, confident care she received as a patient during an emotional and frightening experience. "I entered the double doors to Labor and Delivery on Feb. 10, 2020," wrote Tiffany Caldwell, RN, an acute care nurse at the hospital. "Around 0700, I met my nurse for the day. Kristian was updating my care board and for the goals portion, she wrote my baby's name. Emotions flooded over me as today would be the day I would meet my first child, my baby girl, and the nurse that would deliver her was a dear friend to me. Throughout the day, Kristian was extraordinary in explaining every medication, position change, monitoring and how the labor process was progressing. My husband was nervous and asking the same questions multiple times, but Kristian kept answering, kept smiling and kept us calm. Her professionalism and understanding were encouraging and uplifting to two very nervous parents."

"I could go on and on about every single moment of that day and how Kristian went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable and safe, but I will fast forward to the moments leading up to the arrival of our little girl. I heard Kristian saying, 'You're doing so good, Momma, you're so close. You got this!' My husband, sister and both moms stood beside me, all ready to share life's miracle moment. At 1808, my little girl entered the world, my husband cut the cord, and she was laid on my chest.

"She was blue. There was no crying. I cannot remember if there was movement, maybe I was wanting there to be, but it didn't seem as if there was anything. I looked to Kristian; she was staring at the doctor asking, 'Can I take her?' Fear washed over every inch of my body, but Kristian was focused. I was distressed; Kristian was determined. I was concerned; Kristian was confident. While I was sobbing, Kristian was saving my little girl's life. Kristian called in the nursery crew and the rest is an emotional blur until the moment she was laying in my arms, pink and crying. Kristian did not leave at 1900 as she was scheduled to; she stayed to care for me emotionally. She took the extra step to go to the nursery and check on our baby.

"When you read the definition for The DAISY Award, it covers the skill, compassion and care nurses provide. The pamphlet says, 'Please say thank you by sharing your story of how a nurse made a difference you will never forget!' I cannot think of a better story to share that encompasses all that the award defines. Kristian made a difference because she remained calm and competent and was able to turn a disheartening series of events into the joyful moment it was supposed to be. I am not sure that 'thank you' will ever really be enough to convey the gratitude I feel toward Kristian."