ECHN’s Quarterly DAISY Award Recipient: Mike Eickenhorst
Mike Eickenhorst is an ED nurse at Manchester Memorial Hospital. He has been an absolute pleasure to watch grow on the unit, and we genuinely think he exemplifies the spirit that the Daisy award stands for.
Mike has been a pillar in the department both clinically and culturally. He is ultrasound-guided IV certified, he is a triage nurse, and a charge nurse. He has grown into a strong leader of the unit. Mike even takes constructive feedback and not only incorporates it into his care but also holds his coworkers accountable to that standard. He is constantly reviewing best practices and ensuring he is helping to move the department forward.
You will often hear him on the unit speaking with the providers about results and the course of treatment moving forward. He respectfully suggests plans of care and has a questioning attitude when current plans of care do not match test results or symptoms. He has also been a primary preceptor of multiple new grad nurses who have all gone on to become strong ED nurses due to his mentorship.
Mike is hard-working and dedicated to the department. I have overheard him on multiple occasions taking extra time with patients to ensure they understand the plan of care. One of the instances that stands out in my memory was a Level One stroke alert that did not speak English. As always, there was a flurry of activity in the room, with many people and things going on. There were straightforward questions from both the provider and the neurologist utilizing the interpreter iPad. When all was said and done, the patient did not need TNK, and everyone rapidly exited the room. I watched from the desk as he sat next to the patient, using the interpreter, and took a significant amount of time to explain what had just happened, the concerns, and the plan of care that the provider had briefly mentioned.
In the hustle and bustle of the ED this is something that could easily have been pushed onto the next shift, or the floor, or the hospitalist, but Mike took the time to ensure that this patient not only understood his care but was an active participant in his care. This is what Mike does every day. He does the little things that matter to the patients. Whether it be a small joke to break the tension, an extra blanket, or simply asking “how are you doing?” Mike goes that extra mile. One of the most amazing things about the stroke patient was that Mike never fell behind with any of his other patients that day. Despite the extra time he spent, his clinical skills are to a level that he was still on top of everything else going on.
It is a rare nurse who can manage a critical patient and a full nursing assignment without missing a beat.
Mike received numerous nominations from patients, nurse colleagues, and physicians:
From a grateful patient
"I was a patient in the ED and upon my arrival, Mike immediately came to the room and greeted me with an understanding smile – instantly putting me and my spouse at ease in a stressful situation. He brought humor into every encounter and was also very communicative in explaining what to expect and provided a rationale for the recommended tests. He treated me with respect. He showed compassion and care in providing warm blankets and frequent checks. He kept us updated on delays. Fantastic care all around."
From a respected colleague
"As a nurse, we often see great potential in others and can easily see when a nurse has that “something special”. It’s hard to put into words exactly what it is about Mike that makes him an extraordinary nurse. It could be the way he talks to his patients with a kind and understanding voice. His passion for his job is evident in how he cares for his patients. In all the encounters I have had with Mike, he always expresses concern for his patients and puts their safety first. Throughout my years, I have had some not-so-great ED experiences. Mike has shown us that a stressful situation can be a positive experience with caring, compassion, and humor!"
From a trusted physician
"Mike is a superior nurse who always demonstrates kindness, capability, and compassion to his patients and colleagues. He exemplifies our core values and is as much an inspiration as an asset to our department. He is worthy of recognition for the Daisy award. He teaches, touches and tackles near-impossible tasks daily with a cool head and a warm heart."