Nursing is a dynamic career field where you can go from routine situations to emergency care in an instant. In labor and delivery, there are commonly 2 patients involved; one you can see physically, mommy, and baby who you can only see with monitors, ultrasounds and other machinery. The OB nurses are special people who care for not only their patient but the family unit.

Catie Gagnon is a MCU nurse. She has so many wonderful qualities about her that makes her deserving of recognition as a great nurse. She is kind, caring; supportive, respectful, and dedicated to her patients, patient's family members, co-workers, and the hospital. I have had the opportunity to see Catie in action as both a patient and as a co-worker.

As a patient, Catie was the delivery RN and caught my baby; the physician on call did not make it in time, as babies tend to come when they want. When the physician arrived, Catie reminded her of the history with my 1st delivery and postpartum hemorrhage. She suggested that I might need to be monitored a little closer as a preventative measure based on my history. I was fine, I had the delivery I wanted, and Catie followed my birth plan. About an hour, or hour and a half went by, physician had left; I began to hemorrhage and lose consciousness. Catie jumped into action, delegating to other staff members to call physician back, get IV access, medications on board, while continuing to do fundal rubs and getting bleeding under control. I became more aware with my surroundings when the physician arrived again. While physician was trying to find the source of bleeding, Catie held my baby to me for skin to skin and to initiate breastfeeding because I was weak and both arms were being occupied due to placement of IV. The physician and nurses finally were able to get my bleeding under control. I had my baby, my family was there, and my wishes were respected. It turned out to be an amazing day. I'm thankful for the physician who attended me, and all the nurses that helped me during our stay, especially Catie whose special care and insight were instrumental in my good health.

Catie is a committed caregiver and I was fortunate to be her patient. She is a true professional as a co-worker as well. In another situation, a patient came in, with a lot of bleeding, still pregnant. I witnessed Catie again spring into action, delegating appropriately to get OB physician as well as the pediatrician to the unit, IV and labs ordered and found baby heart rate to ensure health and comforted the mommy that her child was still with us. Catie, again being proactive delegated me to get things ready for an emergency C-section in case that is the route the OB doc thought was best option upon arrival and assessment. OB doc arrived, baby was delivered, pediatrician arrived; mom and baby were stabilized. During all that time, Catie remained calm and professional in a highly stressful situation.

Catie is helpful when needed and encourages staff to stay on task so that we all may get out at a decent time and home to our families. She comes in to help on her time off when the unit is short-staffed, even when she knows she has a discussion post due to her college professor in few short hours at midnight. She is a great mentor and is deserving of recognition as an exemplary nurse.