Whitney Bowers, RN, OR – PACU
Please join the Center for Nursing Excellence in congratulating Whitney Bowers, RN, for being selected as the DAISY Award recipient for the month of September!
Whitney Bowers, RN, OR – PACU, and was nominated by a Patient. The nomination below reflects how Brooklyn impacted their life in a very special way.
Nomination: I am writing to nominate Whitney Bowers, RN, for recognition for her exceptional care, quick thinking, and unmatched compassion. On June 22, 2025, I was admitted to the Emergency Department for my fourth VP shunt failure. Although I had been through this process before and thought I knew what to expect, this experience turned out to be far more serious—and life-threatening—than anything I had previously encountered.
After a series of painful procedures to rule out infection, I underwent shunt revision surgery on June 23. I’m a 23-year-old woman, and although I try to stay positive, having half my head shaved and undergoing surgery in two different places was a lot to process emotionally. Still, I went into surgery with hope, expecting the usual recovery: a few hours in the PACU and then back to feeling like myself.
Unfortunately, this time was very different. Though the surgery itself went well, things quickly took a turn for the worse in the PACU. I began seizing, and medical staff feared I might be having a stroke. I became unresponsive for almost a minute. Those moments were terrifying for me and my family—but not for Whitney. She responded instantly, with calm confidence and expert skill. Without hesitation, she prepared to bag me, coordinated the emergency response, and took every action needed to stabilize me.
When I regained consciousness, I couldn’t feel the left side of my body. I was terrified, but Whitney stayed by my side, speaking to me with calm reassurance while moving mountains behind the scenes. She immediately alerted the surgeon, and within minutes, I was rushed for a CT scan. She made sure every step was taken to get me the urgent care I needed—all while making me feel safe, seen, and genuinely cared for.
Whitney’s care didn’t end there. She stayed late after her shift just to make sure I was stable and emotionally at ease. She explained everything with patience and clarity to both me and my mom, making sure we understood what was happening and what to expect next. The next day, Whitney went above and beyond again by coming to my hospital room to check on me, even though I was no longer under her direct care.
Whitney is more than a nurse—she is a healer, an advocate, and a lifesaver. Her professionalism, intuition, and compassion were critical in those moments, and I will forever be grateful for the role she played in saving my life. She exemplifies what it means to be a nurse in every way, and I truly believe she deserves to be recognized for her excellence.
Thank you, Brooklyn!