Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Carly Bruton, RN, staff nurse in the Presbyterian Hemby Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was recognized by The Charlotte Observer as the 2010 Nursing Excellence Award winner. Bruton was nominated by Lynn Helderman, RN, NICU nurse manager, and was one of many nominations the Observer received.
The Charlotte Observer Nursing Excellence Award is offered once a year to a nurse who displays remarkable patient care, contributes to the department and has well-rounded notoriety as a stand out performer in his/her department and the community.
Humble and hard working, Bruton transferred from another nursing job to the NICU three years ago. For her, the switch couldn’t have been more perfect. Helping others seems to be in Bruton’s blood, constantly sharing her compassionate ways with patients and co-workers alike.
Bruton has always strived to make her patients comfortable and their families secure and knowledgeable. “You build relationships with the families, and because of the continuity of care, you know that baby,” Bruton said. Helping others by persistently displaying acts of selflessness and dedication, Bruton gains the most joy when she is satisfying others.
“These are things that just come natural as a nurse,” Bruton said.
A reputable individual within the hospital walls, Bruton extends her generosity and compassion well beyond the NICU. After hearing about a NICU child life specialist who was visiting Haiti to provide disaster relief with a group from Charlotte, she immediately made contact with several local pharmacies and collected boxes of donations to send with the child life specialist. “That would be the moment there … to know I was able to get all that together and see these kids smiling and all happy over something so small,” Bruton said.
Most recently, Bruton has been responding to fundraising efforts for the March of Dimes. After realizing that she would not be able to participate in the March of Dimes walk, Bruton took on the task of collecting individual donations. Bruton began to approach staff members individually and request their financial support of the walk. As a result of her one-on-one tactics, Bruton successfully raised over $700 for March of Dimes.
Upon receiving her award, Bruton was also awarded a $100 gift card. She responded by saying, “This will buy some baby clothes for our unit that we desperately need.” Bruton is known for her acts of kindness and delights in the benefit of others.
Bruton’s kindness and heartwarming generosity have caught the attention of not only her patients, but the attention of nurse managers and clinical coordinators of the Hemby NICU. By this award, Bruton is recognized for her dedication and compassion through her service to others.
