MRI nurse Faith Osterburg is recognized for her contributions to patient care.
By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org
Faith Osterburg just celebrated her one-year anniversary as a nurse at Riley Hospital for Children, but she is already making her mark.
In her first full-time nursing job out of school, the Ohio native received a coveted DAISY award earlier this month for her role in managing emergencies with two patients undergoing MRIs.
“It was very unexpected,” Osterburg said about the DAISY honor. “I saw a bunch of people coming in with a huge banner, a big bouquet of daisies and cinnamon rolls and start setting up. I had never seen this before and didn’t know it was for me.”
Until the nurse leaders on hand started talking … about her.
“They said my name, and I’m like, ‘What?’”
Osterburg works in the MRI unit on the first floor of Riley, where she cares for patients who are sedated as they undergo scans for everything from joint injuries to tumors.
Being able to help patients and families through those often uneasy times means a lot to her.
“For some kids, it is their first time having an MRI, and maybe it’s to find out whether or not they have cancer,” Osterburg said. “Or maybe that their cancer is gone, and they can ring the bell.”
And the DAISY lets her know she and the team of half a dozen nurses she works with are having a positive impact on patients and families.
“I know how big a deal it is to get a DAISY. And it makes me feel I’m in the right profession.”
MRI clinical manager Megan Luther said she nominated Osterburg because of her passion for nursing, patient advocacy and her drive to improve her skills.
“She is very positive, and she wants to improve the processes here at Riley for our patients and for the team,” Luther said. “I’m proud to lead Faith and provide her with support and resources needed to cope with the many situations nurses encounter on a daily basis.”
Osterburg, who often fills in as charge nurse on the MRI team, attended school at the University of Cincinnati, where she met her husband, Nicolas. When he got a job in Indianapolis, she knew there was only place she wanted to work – Riley Hospital.
Outside of their jobs, the couple enjoy playing pickleball, and Osterburg dotes on her two cats, often putting them on a leash and taking them for walks outside.
She also crochets and loves to sing.
“My grandma and I still sing together sometimes; we all used to sing with my grandpa, who passed away a while ago. He was why I went into nursing,” she said, explaining that he often talked about how amazing his nurses were when he was ill.
“He touched so many people that I wanted to help people like him,” she said. “This award means so much to me. His memory always pushes me to help others and be my best self.”
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