Our teams rarely come together and work side by side on patients. This night was an exception. Our team was called to assist with a pregnant patient coming in by ambulance whose status was expected to require a procedure that even we, as L&D nurses, never thought we would see. The situation was tense, and there were many unknowns. Connor stepped right up to the challenge and made sure we all had the supplies and space we would need to work. He never once made us feel like we were in the way. After he made sure we had what we needed, he made sure his team was ready for their role in this emergency. He assigned roles and exhibited clear communication skills with the members of his team. He worked with bravery and courage and faced this terrible situation with grace and professionalism.
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While working in registration, in the ED, we heard news that there was an explosion about a mile or so from the hospital. We did not know, initially, how many patients we might get or how severe the accident was. Connor, who works night shift in the ED, came in wearing plain clothes, when he could have been resting up for his shift the following night. He did this because he knew if the situation with the explosion was bad enough, the day shift nurses might need help. Thankfully, we only ended up having two patients from the incident and were not overrun with traumas. Either way, I believe it says so much that Mr. Horath was ready to step in and help, even during his time off. He was prepared to do what was necessary to save lives, and he did it without a second thought. We need more RNs like Connor, who is always ready to do what must be done, and then some. I know his co-workers appreciate him for this, and I believe he deserves recognition, not just for his noble actions yesterday, but also for being a phenomenal nurse in general.