2nd Quarter Wendi McDonough, BNS, RN, CPAN, CGRN
Atlantic General Hospital awarded the DAISY Award for excellence in nursing
for the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2018 to Wendi McDonough, BSN, RN,
CPAN, CGRN.
McDonough has been a nurse for 22 years, and has been with AGH for 12 of
those years. She is BSN prepared and will soon be completing her master’s
degree. McDonough is dedicated to the GI specialty as well as the nursing
profession. She is board certified in gastroenterology nursing (CGRN)
and recovery room nursing (CPAN).
Of her nomination, McDonough said, “I was astonished and honored
to learn that I was selected for the DAISY award. Some of my most treasured
moments are when someone looks me in the eyes and says, “thank you.”
It is then that I know I’m doing what I was called to do.”
McDonough constantly strives for improvement and expects excellence not
only for herself, but for all staff working with her. She is a champion
for motivating staff involvement in professional organizations, department
process improvements, and attending educational conferences. The nomination
stated, “Her knowledge contributes to the excellent teamwork offered
by the Endoscopy Center. Her expertise, dedication and passion are evident
in the superior care she provides day after day for patients.”
1st Quarter Nettie Widgeon, RN
Atlantic General Hospital awarded the DAISY Award for excellence in nursing
for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2018 to Nettie Widgeon, RN.
Nettie has worked at Atlantic General Hospital for 13 years, starting as
a CNA on the Medical-Surgical Unit. Nettie became a tech and transferred
to the Emergency Department, eventually earning her nursing degree and
becoming a charge nurse. Nettie was certified as a SAFE nurse, providing
compassion and clinical exams for the victims of sexual assault. She worked
in the Emergency Department until mid-summer of 2017, when she took th
e clinical supervisor position for Atlantic General Health System.
Of her nomination, Nettie said, "This is a true highlight of my career.
There is no greater job in the world than being a nurse. It is who I am."
One nomination she received recounted a situation in which a patient was
brought to the ER with slurred speech and disorentiation. While the patient
admitted to having too much to drink, Nettie realized not all his symptoms
pointed to alcohol intoxication. Due to her sharp observation, the patient
was diagnosed with a severe brain hemmorrhage and he was immediately transferred
for surgery.
The nomination stated, "In a quick and challenging environment, this was
an exceptional medical assessment alert to the physician. All nurses are
caring; some have more experience than others, however, a quick eye to
the abnormal can result in a lifesaving event. Had the patient been treated
for his agitation, rather than the hidden, immediate problem, this case
could have resulted in a grim outcome."