Erin Brennan honored with DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses

Erin Brennan, RN III, CCRN, in Christiana Hospital’s Neuro Critical Care Unit (NCCU), has received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses for August 2016.

Christiana Care DAISY Award recipients are nurses recognized for meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of patients and families by displaying exceptional clinical skills, compassion, respect and partnership.

Christiana Care’s NCCU is a specialized intensive care unit for patients critically ill from severe stroke. The DAISY nomination came from a patient’s daughter who says Brennan’s knowledge and confidence in caring for her mother were amazing.

“When they first brought my mother into the hospital …I was very confused and scared, and had no idea what anything was or what they were doing. When they moved her to the neuro ICU everything changed – that’s when I met Erin,” she said.

“[Erin] kept my mother comfortable and clean, and carefully maintained her many oral and IV medications. She was always very attentive. After talking to her and watching her take care of my mother I was able to switch off with people for the night and feel confident that she would be OK. Erin cared for my mother with the tenderness I would give her. I couldn’t ask for anything better.

“But it didn’t stop there. Erin was there for me every step of the way. She went above and beyond to make sure I understood everything that was going on and was happening to my mother. I asked a million questions, and no matter how many times I asked she answered with a warm smile. I knew sometimes she had to be dead on her feet but she never showed it.

“I am nominating Erin for this award because I’ve never met anyone as kind, compassionate, caring and warmhearted as she is. She really loves her job and it shows in every way. I wish there were more people out there like Erin; the world would definitely be a better place. She has made a deep impact on my life and I will never forget her. Even with all the hurt and pain, I knew there would always be a smile waiting for me when Erin was around. I guess if God is taking one angel from me I’m just glad he sent me another.

“I thank Erin from the bottom of my heart for being there for me and my mother. As hard and hurtful as things are, they would have been worse without her. Thank you, Erin Brennan, for everything. I will never be able to truly express how grateful I am.”

Established in 1999, the family of J. Patrick Barnes created the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award to honor his memory with a tribute to the skillful and compassionate care he received from his nurses during his hospitalization. Today, more than 2,000 health care facilities in every state and 15 countries honor nurses with the DAISY Award.

The Professional Nurse Council at Christiana Care selects DAISY Award recipients using a blind selection process based on nominations from patients, families and all members of the Christiana Care team. All nurses — inpatient, outpatient and VNA — are eligible.