Paige Fitzgerald's Nominator Wrote:

“My dad had to undergo exploratory surgery this morning to check for a possible blockage. Around 7 a.m., Paige came in to introduce herself and do a quick assessment. From the moment she walked in, she was fully engaged—listening intently and making it feel like my dad was her only patient that day.

Before he was taken into surgery, Paige reassured him that she would be there when he returned and ready to care for him. True to her word, she was. When he came back a few hours later in significant pain, she responded quickly—administering the pain medication that had already been ordered. But she didn’t stop there. Recognizing what he had been taking prior to surgery and seeing the level of pain he was in, she immediately began advocating for something stronger.

Not long after, she returned to let us know that a more effective medication had been approved. She continued to check in consistently, making sure the new medication was working, and that he was as comfortable as possible—all within a short window of time.

What made Paige’s care truly exceptional was how she combined clinical skill with genuine empathy. She kept us informed with kindness, checked in frequently, and made us feel heard and supported. Her calm, confident presence helped ease both my dad’s pain and our family’s stress. She treated him as a whole person—not just a patient—and showed us exactly what extraordinary nursing looks like.

Paige also took the time to explain everything clearly, answer our questions patiently, and never rushed, even with other responsibilities. Her positive attitude created a sense of trust and comfort, not just for my dad, but for our whole family. It was obvious she takes great pride in her work, and her uplifting presence made a difficult day a little easier to bear.

In the past, I’ve often felt like I needed to push for more—asking what else could be done or advocating for better pain control. But having Paige as his nurse brought me so much relief as a worried daughter. I had complete confidence that she would provide excellent care and do everything in her power to keep him comfortable and safe.

She truly lived out the C.A.R.E.S. values in every aspect of his care. From the moment she greeted us with warmth and professionalism, she took full responsibility for managing his pain and making sure his needs were met. She listened with compassion, responded quickly and effectively, and made his safety a top priority through consistent monitoring and clear communication.

I know nurses often juggle multiple patients and responsibilities, but Paige made us feel like we were her only priority. She connected with our family in a way that was deeply genuine and caring. She treated my dad with dignity and kindness, and as his daughter, it meant the world to know that someone was truly looking out for him.

We are so grateful for her.”