A third-generation nurse, Keegan Wells has always had nursing in his blood. His mother and grandmother paved the way in the field, and his grandmother’s intuition sparked his nursing career. Transitioning from a path in English to one in nursing, Wells found his calling in this caring profession.
Now a telemetry nurse at the University of Iowa Health Care, Wells is following in his family’s footsteps and thriving in an environment that feels like a second family. The camaraderie and support among his teammates create a culture of trust and compassion that mirrors the values instilled in him by his upbringing.
On his telemetry unit, where he monitors heart rhythms and oxygen levels, Wells witnesses the importance of teamwork and strong leadership. The collaborative approach to patient care, focusing on continuous improvement and shared responsibility, resonates with his beliefs about providing exceptional care.
Daily Nurse proudly recognizes Keegan Wells as the Nurse of the Week. His commitment to prioritizing teamwork, leadership, collaboration, and continuous improvement exemplifies exceptional care. By focusing on patient-centered practices, inspiring his team, and promoting excellence, Wells enhances patient outcomes and contributes positively to the healthcare environment.
Reflecting on his grandmother’s words of wisdom, Wells prioritizes empathy in his interactions with patients, treating them as he would his own family. This compassionate approach, combined with the supportive atmosphere at UI Health Care, allows Wells to flourish in his role and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those he cares for.
As he continues to uphold the values passed down through generations of nurses in his family, Wells embodies the spirit of dedication, empathy, and collaboration that defines the nursing profession.
Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.
As Hurricane Francine unleashed its fury not far from Miles Crawford’s home in New Orleans, fate seemed to intervene, as a man found himself trapped in rising floodwaters in his pickup truck.
With his professional training in saving lives quickly, Crawford wasted no time responding to the emergency unfolding in his New Orleans neighborhood. Daily Nurse proudly recognizes Crawford as the Nurse of the Week, commending his heroism, compassion, and quick thinking, all essential qualities that emergency nurses rely on in critical situations and where a few seconds can be life or death to save a man trapped in his pickup truck in flood waters.
Armed with a hammer from his house, Crawford braved the swirling waist-high waters to reach the stranded driver in the underpass. With the water already at the man’s head, Crawford knew immediate action was crucial. Instructing the driver to move to the safer back of the truck, Crawford swiftly smashed the back window with the hammer and rescued the man just as he was on the brink of being swept away.
Describing his actions as instinctive, Crawford humbly downplayed his role in the rescue, emphasizing the importance of quick decisions in high-stress situations. Despite sustaining a cut to his hand during the operation, Crawford remained focused on the task at hand, prioritizing the safety of the trapped individual.
Reflecting on the incident, Crawford acknowledged that his actions were second nature to him as a nurse, emphasizing the importance of taking immediate action in critical situations. With the pickup truck submerged just minutes after the rescue, Crawford’s response undoubtedly saved a life that day.
Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.
Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, APRN-CNP, EBP-C, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN, is being honored with the prestigious President’s Award by the American Academy of Nursing at the 2024 Health Policy Conference in Washington, DC from October 31 to November 2, 2024. This award is the highest individual achievement recognition given by the Academy, celebrating Dr. Melnyk’s exceptional contributions to enhancing the health of individuals, families, and communities over her career.
Dr. Melnyk, a global figure in the field of nursing, currently holds the esteemed position of Vice President for Health Promotion and Chief Wellness Officer at Ohio State University. She is the Helene Fuld Health Trust Professor of Evidence-based Practice in the College of Nursing and a Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry in the College of Medicine. Her leadership, expertise, and innovative work in evidence-based practice, child and adolescent mental health, clinician well-being, entrepreneurship, and intervention research, as well as her pioneering techniques in population health and well-being, have earned her worldwide recognition.
In recognition of her remarkable dedication to advancing health and well-being, Daily Nurse is honored to honor Dr. Melnyk as the Nurse of the Week.
Dr. Melnyk was grateful for being honored with the American Academy of Nursing’s President’s Award. “I am humbled and blessed to receive this wonderful award from the American Academy of Nursing. Coming from a small little rural coal mining town in PA, I have been able to do what I’ve done throughout my career; anyone can have a big positive impact if you do what I did; that is, I always dreamed big and stayed focused on my dreams, discovered (which is all about innovating & risk-taking), and delivered those dreams by persisting through the character-builders that we all confront when pioneering anything. Never let anyone tell you your dream is too big or impossible, and always keep your dreams bigger than your fears. Lastly, fail forward (with every no, you are 1 step closer to a yes) and never quit. You can do it! And if you ever need a Bern boost, reach out to me. I am committed to helping people to accomplish their dreams and soar!”
Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.
Meet Swapna Peter, MSN, RN, CCRN, a seasoned nurse passionate about emergency care and dedicated to enhancing patient outcomes. With an impressive 25-year nursing career, including a decade in the fast-paced environment of the emergency department at the University of California Davis Medical Center, Peter has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious ENA Foundation’s 2024 Emergency Nursing Diverse Voices Research Fellowship.
Driven by her commitment to advancing emergency nursing practice, Peter will use this grant to delve into the measurement of compassionate care provided by emergency nurses and explore interventions to combat compassion fatigue.
Swapna Peter is proudly honored by Daily Nurse as the Nurse of the Week in recognition of her focus on compassionate care and valuable contributions to emergency nursing.
Amy Boren, ENA Foundation Chairperson, expressed, “Swapna’s passion for emergency nursing and dedication to improving patient outcomes perfectly align with the values of the ENDVR program, focusing on diversity and inclusivity within the field.
As part of the fellowship, Peter will attend Emergency Nursing 2024 in Las Vegas, engaging in research activities while benefiting from mentorship opportunities with esteemed Emergency Nursing Research Advisory Council members. She will develop and execute a research project locally, participate in advisory council meetings, and present her findings at Emergency Nursing 2025. The fellowship may be extended to two years to support her research endeavors.
The ENDVR Fellowship program was launched in 2022 to promote diversity in nursing research and provide guidance to emerging researchers from underrepresented groups. Chris Dellinger, the President of ENA, emphasized the importance of diverse perspectives in research. He stressed the need for nurses’ and patients’ voices to be heard and considered to improve emergency care.
Peter’s journey as an ENA Foundation Fellow highlights the significance of inclusivity and innovation in advancing the field of emergency nursing. Her commitment to compassionate care and dedication to research will undoubtedly inspire positive change within the emergency nursing community.
Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.
Captain Molly Murphy, a trailblazing ICU nurse from Colorado, has shattered glass ceilings by becoming the first female nurse to successfully complete the grueling Ranger School training in the Army. Her remarkable journey from Highlands Ranch High School to the University of Nebraska for ROTC and nursing to her current role as a pediatric ICU nurse at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center exemplifies her unwavering dedication to service and excellence in healthcare.
Daily Nurse proudly honors Captain Murphy as the Nurse of the Week and celebrates her exceptional blend of strength, compassion, and resilience, which sets her apart in the field of nursing. Her incredible achievements and relentless pursuit of challenges inspire her colleagues and women aspiring to make a difference in their respective fields.
Murphy’s relentless drive for excellence is evident in her competitive spirit, which her two older brothers instilled in her from a young age. She has always pushed herself to new heights, from conquering the ski slopes to excelling on the rugby field. Her participation in various Army competitions and training programs, including the Best Medic Competition, Airborne, Air Assault, and Jungle Schools, demonstrates her commitment to continuous growth and skill development.
Ranger School, a 62-day intense program designed to test participants’ physical and mental endurance, presented Captain Murphy with her most formidable challenge yet. Despite facing sleep deprivation, hunger, and physical hardships, she persevered through the demanding course, even enduring a foot infection that required surgery. Her sacrifices, including shaving her head, symbolize her willingness to embrace discomfort and sacrifice for the greater good.
As the 144th woman to complete Ranger School, Captain Murphy acknowledges the trailblazers who paved the way before her, viewing her accomplishment as a collective victory for women in the military. Her encouragement to fellow female nurses and aspiring servicewomen reflects her belief in the power of perseverance and courage in pursuing one’s dreams.
Looking ahead, Captain Murphy’s aspirations extend beyond her remarkable achievements in the Army and nursing field. With a vision to serve as the White House nurse and ultimately become a devoted stay-at-home mom, she embodies the essence of a true leader with a compassionate heart and unwavering determination. Captain Molly Murphy’s journey inspires all women to fearlessly pursue their ambitions and break barriers in their chosen paths.
Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.
Gracita Eugene, a dedicated chemotherapy nurse with Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, Texas, recently emerged victorious from her battle with breast cancer.
What makes her journey particularly remarkable is the unique camaraderie Eugene now shares with her patients, having personally experienced the same challenges and emotions they go through each day.
She understands firsthand the fear, uncertainty, and pain they are experiencing and offers them a unique level of empathy and understanding. Eugene is a source of inspiration for her patients, showing them that it is possible to fight cancer with grace and courage. Daily Nurse proudly names Gracita Eugene as the Nurse of the Week.
Eugene’s battle with breast cancer began in February 2022 when she discovered a lump during a self-exam. Her subsequent journey included surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and antibody therapy, culminating in her triumphant last dose on October 5, 2023, marked by a bell-ringing ceremony.
Aged 47, married, and a mother to a young son, Gracita’s journey from the Bahamas to Haiti and eventually to the U.S. at age 15 is a testament to her innate desire to help others. She began her nursing career in orthopedics but found her true calling in chemotherapy nursing, where she felt a profound connection with her patients. “I can rejoice when they rejoice. I cry when they cry,” she says.
Eugene’s story encapsulates the essence of nursing—compassion and caring. As she beautifully puts it, “Being a nurse is all about being compassionate, caring. Now I understand better. I remember being down. I understand how bad they are feeling at their worst. I’ve been there.”
Now, as a survivor, Eugene offers her patients hope and encouragement in their battles with cancer. She has become a beacon of light for those going through what she once did, showing them that they are not alone and that there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow. Eugene’s journey has made her a stronger nurse and a more compassionate and empathetic caregiver.
Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.
