Aaron is an amazing critical care nurse. He is knowledgeable, confident, and compassionate and he takes great pride in his work. Aaron maintains a professional attitude and is always the first nurse to triple on his team (taking extra patients) or offering to help a colleague in need.
My story could be one of many about Aaron, his love for humanity and people centered patient care. But instead I have chosen to tell a story about his great interest for education and the tireless effort made to help orient new nurses or students. Aaron is often asked to precept on our unit. I imagine our leadership team has the same thought and recognizes his impressive skills with new nurses.
He had a nursing student that he was orienting to the critical care unit. She had been with him for weeks. During this particular day I was in charge and we had an unfortunate code blue on our unit. As we all collaborated in an effort to save the patient, I gently moved Aaron's student into the room and told her where to stand so that she might have a chance to do compressions. Without thinking, Aaron pulled his student back and stood quietly behind her and began to explain the process and roles played by all staff in the room. I watched as he pointed out members and described their actions. As the room was in controlled chaos, he was completely calm and almost in slow motion explaining every detail. I was in awe. It never occurred to me that she may have never been in this situation and the overwhelming sense she may have with everything going on. I continue to watch Aaron everyday as he teaches people around him. Not just students but colleagues he has known for years.