November 2018
Barbara
Petersen
,
RN
ICU
Bassett Medical Center
Cooperstown
,
NY
United States

 

 

 

One name comes to mind when you hear a nurse described as all these adjectives; passionate, knowledgeable, caring, above and beyond, role model, the list goes on and on. Barbara Peterson has been a critical care nurse at Bassett since 2002, spending most of her time in the Intensive Care Unit. She has mentored countless nurses and nursing students over the years. Barbara receives recognition from her patients and their families almost weekly. She is most known for her leadership skills and ability to take control of any situation.
Most recently, Barbara responded to a rapid response on the inpatient psychiatry unit and quickly noted that the situation needed a leader. She took control and delegated to the other medical personnel who responded. The patient was removed from inpatient psychiatry and admitted to the medical floor where their needs could be further met at Barbara's request. At the daily safety huddle, numerous colleagues from other departments recognized Barbara for her efforts at that rapid response. One member even called Barbara the Florence Nightingale of Bassett. I could not agree more, and I am proud to have learned from and work with Barbara in the ICU.