Nancy Morrison, RN, BSN, Receives DAISY Award

When you think of “Independence Day,” you probably think of fireworks or cookouts.

Maybe sparklers, beach trips, or red, white and blue.

During the holiday this year, Mike and Tammy Olmstead had something different on their mind. On July 4, Mike went into cardiac arrest at their home in Beaufort, Tammy said.

Tammy immediately began chest compressions on her husband, but it wasn’t long before she knew she couldn’t do it alone. She ran to her next-door neighbor’s house, desperate for help.

She ran to her next-door neighbor’s house, desperate for help.

Her help came in the form of Beaufort Memorial cath lab nurse Nancy Morrison, who had the day off and was enjoying the holiday.

“Her knowledge and experience took over,” Tammy recalled. “She never let up. She never stopped looking out for us.”

Nancy continued compressions, and her husband Marvin called 911. When the ambulance arrived, Tammy was in shock, and Nancy recognized the signs immediately, staying “calm, cool and collected” the entire time. She’d never been in shock before, Tammy said, and Nancy’s matter-of-fact tone and extensive knowledge helped ground her.

“They thought that was my last ride,” Mike said. “Nancy kept going and going and going until the paramedics got there. I can’t even fathom what was going through her head, but she did an amazing, amazing job.”

Afterwards, Nancy helped Tammy gather her things to take to the hospital and drove her there herself.

Nancy, who has been a part of the Beaufort Memorial family for 18 years – working at the hospital’s Cochrane Heart Center for six – is the charge nurse and preceptor to new nurses in the department. Beaufort Memorial Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Services Director Sharon Shupe, MSN, RN, said that Nancy has a “great sense of humor” that she often uses to alleviate her patients’ anxieties.

“She is always kind, thoughtful and compassionate, and always determined to do what is best for the patient,” Sharon added. “She makes a difference in the lives of her patients and their families with her exceptional care and skills.”

Nancy received the prestigious DAISY Award in a small surprise ceremony at the Heart Center on Dec. 2, a “thank you” for her unwavering commitment – on the clock or off – to lifesaving, compassionate care. She was awarded a hand-carved “A Healer’s Touch” sculpture and a bouquet of daisies, and Beaufort Memorial nursing leaders took time to explain the history of the DAISY award and the meaning behind the award’s name, the flowers and even the food.

“For Nancy, nursing is more than a career,” Sharon said. “It is a lifestyle that doesn’t stop at the end of her shift.”

During the emotional award presentation, Nancy embraced Mike and Tammy as they thanked her once again.

“I would have done it anyway,” Nancy said, “I never expected this. Mike is a miracle; everything fell into the right place at the right time.”

With his near-death experience this summer, Mike says he has a new outlook and is approaching every day like it could be his last.

“This taught me a lot of lessons about how to look at life and how to treat people,” he said. “Nancy just went so far above and beyond. I can never thank her enough or repay her. I’m here because of what she did.”

Developed in 1999 by a Seattle couple to honor the nurses who took care of their dying son, the DAISY Award has since been adopted by health care facilities all over the world.

Nominated RN's clinical skills and especially her/his compassionate care exemplify the kind of nurse that patients, their families and our staff recognize as an outstanding role model. She/he consistently meets all of the following criteria:

• Compassionate Care
• Commitment to Extraordinary Service
• Clinical Excellence

Anyone can nominate a Beaufort Memorial nurse for the honor. Applications are available throughout the hospital and at BeaufortMemorial.org/DAISY.

Photos from Nancy's Surprise DAISY Award Ceremony