On the shift, Jada was assigned to work in a very fast-paced area. She was responsible for initiating treatment and then returning the patient to waiting or escalating for room placement. She was with a patient, speaking and interacting while drawing labs and preparing the patient to be roomed. The patient experienced sudden cardiac arrest. Jada initiated CPR and notified the ED Team for assistance. Even with Jada and the team’s immediate response, we were unable to resuscitate.

ED nurses are resilient, and they often compartmentalize and need to walk away for personal time or reflection to return and complete their shift. But, Jada..... Shortly after the code, while I was rounding, I found Jada in the quiet pediatric waiting area. Jada was sitting at a kid's table with a small child. She was engaged in the child's conversation, praising his drawing and coloring skills. She was drawing pictures for him, and he was coloring. It was a beautiful scene. I heard him ask, "Is my mom going to be here long?" Jada informed him, "Yes, it will be a while." (She was waiting for the family because she already knew the outcome). She remained with him over 30-40 minutes. She had a friend, and she was taking care of her little friend, giving him perhaps the most peace he was going to experience over the next few days. The best she could do for the patient she interacted with and tried to rescue was to step in and care for the family. He just happened to be a little boy. It is truly a blessing to have a nurse such as Jada on our team.