Kristen Barrett honored with DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses

Kristen Barrett, BSN, RNC, of Christiana Hospital’s Labor and Delivery team, received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses for January 2017.

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. This DAISY nomination came from a mother who, two years after the birth of her first child, wanted Kristen by her side again. She shared what made Kristen and her care so special — twice:

“I was lucky enough to have Kristen Barrett as my L&D nurse with my first child in 2014. She was truly amazing! She took the best care of me and my family. I was trying to labor naturally, and Kristen helped me get through every contraction. She gave my husband and family tips and positions for me to try with each contraction. Unfortunately, after 23 hours it was decided that I needed a C-section. I had developed an infection during labor, and my baby was going to the NICU after delivery. Kristen made me feel so safe in a very scary situation.

“When I got pregnant last year, I contacted Kristen and asked if she could be my nurse again. I knew after the difficult time we had had with our daughter, I really wanted Kristen there to make me feel safe again. Her knowledge, expertise and compassion were exactly what I needed.

“Kristen usually works midnight shift, but she made arrangements with her manager to be there for my scheduled daytime C-section. When my husband and I got off the elevator, Kristen and my nurse practitioner, Claire, were there to meet us. I had tears in my eyes. I was terrified from my prior experience, and they made me feel as though everything was going to be OK.

“Kristen explained everything so we could understand. I am a nurse, but she allowed me to be a mom and did my thinking for me. She held my hand while I got my spinal and was by my side throughout my procedure. She helped me focus and breathe when I got scared, talked me down when I was anxious and was incredibly supportive to my husband. She stayed with us until we were transferred to postpartum care.

“I was so happy that Kristen was one of the first people to hold both of my babies. Kristen is one-of-a-kind. Her dedication to her job and patients is admirable. I know that my experience would not have been the same without her. My family and I are eternally grateful for everything Kristen did for us.”

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.