A ‘family’ of caregivers: Compassionate care and unity go hand-in-hand in the Neuroscience Intermediate Unit
Nurses in the Neuroscience Intermediate Unit are recognized with a DAISY Team Award for providing exceptional care and creating a familial atmosphere.
Home to the state’s only Comprehensive Stroke Center, the nurses who work in the Neuroscience Intermediate Unit are entrusted with the care of some of Iowa’s most critical patients who have had strokes and individuals requiring specialized neurosurgical care.
The team leads collaborative efforts across physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and many other services. Each member plays a crucial role in caring for patients, ensuring that every aspect of their medical journey is met with expertise and compassion. Gary Harney, MSN, CNRN, nurse manager for the unit, says that nurses’ extraordinary teamwork, combined with their commitment to delivering compassionate and comprehensive care, sets them apart in the field.
“We have a unique patient population as the majority of our patients have some type of neurological deficit,” says Harney. “A high percentage of these patients typically require the assistance of two or more nurses for everyday tasks. We cannot function on this unit without working together.”
What truly sets the unit, however, is its familial atmosphere, notes Monica Smith, BSN, RN, CNRN, assistant nurse manager for the unit. “We describe our team as more than colleagues. The staff here are a tight-knit family who support one another both personally and professionally.”
Bonds beyond medicine
It’s their combination of exemplary collaborative care across multiple services all while creating a familial atmosphere amongst patients and coworkers that led the Neuroscience Intermediate Unit to earning a DAISY Team Award.
Smith notes that the team often celebrates birthdays with personal cards and offers unwavering support during difficult times like the loss of a family member. They also demonstrate their commitment to exceptional patient care through acts of compassion that go beyond medical treatment.
Smith shares, for instance, that the team provided support to a patient who resided with them for 1,500 days, offering not only medical care but also companionship, clothing, electronics, personalized therapies, and holiday gifts. In another instance, nurses organized a surprise birthday celebration for a patient facing an acute spinal cord injury. The thoughtful gesture, complete with the patient’s favorite foods, decorations, and gifts, provided the patient and their family with joy and comfort during a challenging circumstance.
“The recognition of the DAISY Team Award is a testament to this unit’s tireless efforts and unwavering dedication,” says Harney. “As they continue to change our patients’ lives, these nurses remain a shining example of what can be achieved through unity, compassion, and sheer determination.”
