For most nurses, every shift is a routine filled with patient checks, assessments, and procedures. However, for Joey Straw, an acute care nurse at the Nashville VA

, one ordinary day turned into a life-saving moment that highlights why he was named Daily Nurse’s Nurse of the Week.

Never Overlooking a Step

Straw stepped into his patient’s isolation room, prepared for what should have been a standard evaluation. The Veteran, recovering from a chronic illness, was heavily dependent on medical support—a feeding tube, dialysis, and an inability to speak made him completely reliant on the nurses around him.

Each step Straw performed in his 27-year nursing career was second nature, but his sharp attention to detail made all the difference that day.

A Small Sign, A Life Saved

While carefully assessing the Veteran, Straw noticed something off: the feeding tube was caught on the dressing of the dialysis catheter on the patient’s neck.

His instincts kicked in immediately. “I was worried that the feeding tube was going to pull at the dressing and dislodge the catheter in his neck, and he was going to bleed heavily from that,” Straw recalled.

As he carefully redressed the area and repositioned the tubes, something caught his eye—a small drop of blood. At first, it seemed insignificant. But Straw knew better than to ignore it.

Then, it happened. The blood started falling at a faster rate.

Straw acted immediately, placing direct pressure on the wound while calling for backup. “I called for help. The charge nurses brought some dressings in for me, and then I instantly called dialysis and told them that I had a situation here.”

A team of dialysis nurses quickly responded to the situation, identifying a cut in the tubing. They managed to control the bleeding and called for an emergency team from interventional radiology to replace the dialysis access. Thanks to Straw’s quick actions, the Veteran stabilized and made a full recovery.

“I Just Took Action Like I Thought I Should”

Looking back, Straw remains humble about the moment that could have ended in tragedy without his vigilance.

“If I didn’t see the blood, the next time I came in the room, he probably would have lost a lot of blood and probably not have survived. I feel like I was kind of lucky that I saw it when I did, and then I just took action as I thought I should.”

But luck had little to do with it. Straw’s dedication, skill, and unshakable commitment to patient safety saved that Veteran’s life.

A Well-Deserved Honor

Straw was awarded the Great Catch Award for his heroic efforts, presented by Daniel Dücker, Tennessee Valley VA Executive Director. This honor is given to individuals who go above and beyond to maintain patient safety and prevent medical errors.

Only 26 staff members were recognized with this award in 2024, a testament to Straw’s exceptional attention to detail and dedication to Veteran care.

Joey Straw embodies what it means to be a nurse: vigilant, compassionate, and ready to act in a crisis. His story is a powerful reminder that in nursing, even the smallest observation can make the biggest difference—and sometimes, even save a life.

Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.

The post A Nurse’s Instinct: How Joey Straw’s Attention to Detail Saved a Veteran’s Life first appeared on Daily Nurse.