A staff nurse, stepping into the charge nurse role is both a scary and exciting professional development step. Carolyn has functioned in the charge nurse role several times, but she went above and beyond for her team, and most importantly her patients, on one specific night.
The team was very grateful that Carolyn was in charge during this night. The night began with an aggressive patient who was supposed to be discharged to home. This patient's plan for discharge home did not appear to be safe. Carolyn advocated for the safe disposition of the patient and made sure her team was prepared, comfortable, and safe in dealing with a potentially harmful patient. The night continued to be eventful, and she continued to demonstrate leadership.
A patient with orders of DNI/DNR unexpectedly began to decompensate leading the primary nurse to call a condition C. The Condition team was trying to stabilize the patient, while not resuscitating or intubating, and Carolyn was supporting the mother of the child. When the decision was made to keep the patient on the acute care unit on comfort measures, there was a temporary misunderstanding from the primary team on what could be accomplished. The primary team was requesting a full work-up and testing.
Carolyn pulled the primary team residents and attending in and voiced her concern for their plan for this patient. She emphasized with the physicians that their plan for treatment with Remicade and stat abdominal Xray were not in line with the wishes of the family. It is never easy for a nurse to stand up professionally and respectfully to the physician team, but Carolyn did so with grace and the patient and family in her mind. She was able to collaborate with both the patient's primary team and the supportive care team to assure this patient was placed on comfort measures only, and the patient's care plan reflected just that. She helped to bridge the communication gap between the primary team and the supportive care team all while demonstrating compassion and grace.
The team of nurses working with Carolyn explained they were so thankful to be working under her leadership on this night. They described her as supportive, compassionate, helpful, and professional. The family, undergoing one of the hardest times in their life, was appreciative of her advocacy, compassion, and kindness. Lynnie is a true DAISY Nurse because she continuously goes above and beyond for her peers, her patients, and their families each and every day she comes to work. She fully commits and delivers when given any task. She is an asset to 8B and CHP, but most importantly she is an asset to all of the patients and families she serves.