Brielle Rivard, RN

I was stepped down from the ICU yesterday and was put into a shared room where my bed was by the door. After 14 days in the hospital- over half intubated- I had already dealt with enough trauma. I have PTSD. I spent the moment I was dropped off through the first few hours in the room in tears. I watched a gentleman in the room across the hall basically bully, harass, insult and repeatedly challenge Brielle. She had every other patient room lit up waiting to speak to her, including me. I watched in despair, this man kept trying to enter our room and others, he yelled, demanded and spoke unreasonably. Although this was a traumatizing experience for me, I observed Brielle calmly and professionally manage this situation, which ultimately involved security, she was brilliant! She also knew I was waiting for her help because my anxiety went through the roof when I arrived and saw this. She kept her cool, she did not allow herself to be manipulated. She kept herself safe and worked promptly to keep him in his room- she did the work of four people! She was fantastic. Seeing the way she managed the chaotic night at the start of her shift- she needs to be given the authority to make decisions that protect all not one.