Christina (Tina) Klein, RN, an Education Coordinator at TUH-Main Campus, was honored with the first DAISY Award we’ve ever given out to a Nurse Educator. Klein was recognized for her commitment to making herself available to staff, her dedication to advocacy and best practices education, and her insistence on staying on top of and sharing the latest knowledge. Read her nomination, which was submitted by Deborah Rose, MHA, BSN, RN, Director of Nursing Services:
“Christina Klein is the Nurse Educator for the 5th floor. She is very focused and dedicated to increasing the quality and safety of patients through the education of all staff, especially nurses and leaders!
I have watched her attend the huddles of each unit at least once a week, answering bells as she goes along, and modeling that behavior for the staff.
She makes herself available to all the staff when best fits their schedules, which lets staff know how dedicated Tina is to each of their success. She is willing to flex her schedule so she can be present for and helpful to them. There has never been a time when Tina has not been available in person or at the end of the phone when a need has arisen.
As an experienced leader, but new to the organization, Tina was instrumental in my transition to being a leader at Temple. She helped me navigate through learning the way Temple nursing is practiced and the expectations of leaders. She was very supportive and encouraging when I, as the Director, really needed to see things differently or needed to help the staff see things differently.
Her dedication to patients with cancer and receiving chemotherapy is unmatched. She is very knowledgeable and imparts her knowledge to the staff, helping them to be highly educated on the subject of chemotherapy. She avails herself to them at any time to assist with chemotherapy questions or problems.
She also has a very strong passion for vascular access and has been a tremendous support for me as the Chair of the CLABSI (Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection) Committee, with questions regarding best practices as well as training and educating the staff.
I admire Tina for the effort she puts into her own development and education. She can quote research studies that are hot off the presses. I know she attends conferences on her own and is very active in her clinical specific associations. She brings all of that to the bedside through the nursing staff.
A typical conversation with Tina is like this: “Tina, there is a new drain, and the staff need to be educated.” Tina’s typical response: “Yes, I was just huddling with the staff. I showed them how it works, where to get supplies, and what the patient needs to be taught.” This is how many conversations with Tina have gone: she’s already in the know and on top of whatever is happening on the units.
We would not know what to do without Tina. She does so much for us through education, encouragement, and support. I think Tina is highly deserving of a DAISY Award.”
The DAISY Award was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who passed away from an autoimmune disease. The Barnes family was awestruck by the clinical skills, caring, and compassion of the nurses who cared for Patrick, and created this international award to say thank you to nurses everywhere.