A few days ago, what many of us feel is the worst of the worst possible situations that presents itself to the emergency department, came to our door. A pediatric code blue. Jamie was our charge nurse that day. It is to her that our staff looks to for leadership, knowledge, expertise, and strength. I was the forensic nurse on call, and I watched as Jamie carried out her work in this difficult case. It should be noted that all the staff involved were tremendous. Jamie however, stands out to me, as she so often does in critical situations. She organized and led her team of nurses and techs, showing her strength in leadership. She was able to get a very difficult IV, showing her expert skills under stress. She remained focused on the child's critical status, monitoring vital signs and medication drips, simultaneously keeping her cool, as she verbally consoled the mother of the child. All of the things that Jamie did that day speak to the great nurse that Jamie is; however, there is one thing that she did that I will remember forever. Once the child had been stabilized, Jamie went and got him a soft, warm keepsake blanket. I watched as she gently covered him and I heard her say. "I know he doesn't know I am doing this, but I know." I know too, Jamie. It is because I know and because this child cannot, that I recognize you in his place.
As for me, nursing has always been about healing, and that blanket was possibly the most healing act that happened for this child. I will never forget that moment. Your knowledge, clinical expertise, and experience make you a great nurse, but it is your ability to combine all that with compassion, that makes you an amazing human being and a person. I am proud to stand beside and work with you every day.