PICU nurse Brooke Pennington shares the spotlight with her co-workers, who “put their heart and soul into nursing.”
By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org
Brooke Pennington joined the team at Riley Hospital for Children as a nursing intern in the summer of 2021, “a very interesting time,” she says, recalling how the pandemic hung heavy over the medical profession.
But it’s always been the right place for her, she believes. The Purdue University grad worked on 9E her first two years as a nurse, before moving over to the PICU nearly two years ago, eager to broaden her clinical skills.
“I always knew I wanted to work with kids, and nursing was a great avenue to do that,” said the recent DAISY winner, recognized for her compassionate care of a family in the PICU.
Growing up near Noblesville, Indiana, she knew about Riley’s reputation as a premier children’s hospital, so she set her sights on working there and never looked back.
Isabella Joanou, a patient care tech and nursing student on the PICU, nominated Pennington for the DAISY after a particularly hard day, describing her as “an angel on this earth and the best person for the work that we do.”
“There is a difference between a nurse who learns the skills to be a good nurse over time and one who is meant to be exactly where they are from the start,” Joanou said.
“That nurse is Brooke. She is so wonderful with the families, especially when they need her the most. She is patient, she is understanding … and she is so gentle with her care. It’s truly beautiful to watch.”
To be nominated for a DAISY by a fellow team member is especially meaningful to Pennington, who can’t help but turn the spotlight back on Joanou, who plans to join the PICU team as a nurse once she graduates.
“It underscores how much we lift each other up in nursing,” Pennington said. “I could not have gotten through that day without her help and kindness toward me and the family we were caring for.”
When she’s not working or studying for her nurse practitioner degree, Pennington enjoys Pilates and hanging out with family, friends and her fiancé, Jesse.
The DAISY award serves as a reminder of all the things nurses do every day, often without recognition, she said.
“I have been so privileged to work with two amazing teams at Riley that have given me just the best experience. I’ve had countless co-workers who put their heart and soul into nursing and are so deserving of this recognition.”
This time, she is that nurse.
“Brooke deserves every award that she can possibly win,” Joanou said, “and I hope that every patient gets to have a nurse like her.”
Nominate a nurse who exemplifies excellent clinical skills and compassionate care here.
Photos submitted and by Mike Dickbernd, IU Health visual journalist, mdickbernd@iuhealth.org
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