ICU nurse receives DAISY Award

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s Department of Nursing recently honored Intensive Care Unit (ICU) staff nurse Carolyn Hampshaw with a DAISY Award.

Hampshaw was nominated by staff nurse Michelle Boudreau. In her nomination letter, Boudreau wrote:

When I see Carolyn's name on the schedule, I know it is going to be a GREAT day at the Faulkner ICU. As charge nurse, Carolyn always maintains a safe environment and advocates for what is best for both the staff and the patients. She follows up with every nurse, checks in on every patient and never takes a lunch break until everyone else has had the chance to do so first.

As a newer nurse to the ICU, I often turn to Carolyn for help. Even with a full workload herself, she always takes the time to answer my many questions, teach me a new skill or stand by me for moral support when I need a little boost of confidence…and to top it all off, she will find me before the shift is up with an evidenced-based article related to what she had taught me. I have witnessed Carolyn be a mentor to nurses of all walks on the unit.

Charge nurse and mentor are just a few of the many hats she wears. Carolyn is also our wound champion. She will always make sure you have the extra hand you need for a dressing change and ensure that your documentation is up to par. I would want Carolyn to take care of my loved ones if they ever ended up in the hospital. I have seen Carolyn advocate to the medical team on a patient’s behalf and I have seen her build meaningful connections with patients and their families.

One of many examples involves a patient with a life shortening condition, who was declining rather quickly. She was young, only in her 50’s, and her significant other and family members were not quite ready to let her go. I remember arriving at 7 pm to relieve Carolyn from her shift and she still hadn’t taken a lunch break. She worked 12 straight hours caring for this critically ill patient and making sure to explain everything that was going on to the family in terms they could understand. The next day the patient was transitioned to comfort measures. I remember coming in for the next shift and seeing Carolyn share hugs, pass out tissues and listen to stories about the patient’s life with the family.

Another example of how Carolyn goes above and beyond involves a patient who the team knew would be a lengthy admission and would require rehabilitation post hospitalization. The patient had made comments about his cat. Knowing that the patient lived alone, Carolyn spent time chatting with him about his neighbors, friends and family nearby. After a few phone calls, she had successfully made arrangements for one of his friends to take care of his cat. The patient could now focus on getting better without the worry of his beloved cat.

These are just a few examples of why Carolyn should receive The DAISY Award. She is brilliant, compassionate, responsible and always spreading her positive energy about the unit. I must not forget that if it’s your birthday, you’re getting married or whatever special occasion it may be, she will be seen decorating the staff lounge and setting out tasty treats to celebrate, even on her day off! She is a role model to myself as well as many others. Carolyn has a way of making everyone around her feel special and I personally believe it is her “healing power.”

Hampshaw was presented with her DAISY Award by members of nursing leadership, the Nursing Professional Recognition and Advancement Committee and her supportive co-workers.

The DAISY Award, established by the DAISY Foundation, is named in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died at the age of 33 from Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), an auto-immune disease. The Barnes Family was inspired by the care that Patrick received and established this unique program to recognize and thank the nurses nationwide who make a profound difference in the lives of their patients and families.

To learn more about the DAISY Foundation, click here.

BWFH DAISY nurses consistently demonstrate excellence through their clinical expertise and extraordinarily compassionate care. They are recognized as outstanding role models in our nursing community and make a profound difference in the lives of their patients and their family members. Patients, visitors, nurses, physicians and employees may nominate a deserving nurse by completing a nomination online.