There are many individual patients that have benefited from the care Jess has given, but one in particular. We were working in the Children's ED when a mother came in with her daughter in her arms. The patient was pulseless and very pale. Jess immediately jumped into action, began getting monitors, and starting compressions. She moved effortlessly from one task to the next, ensuring the patient's safety and maximizing care. We needed access, so she got a line. We needed meds, so she drew them up. We needed pads on, so she brought them over. She seemed to be everywhere at once.
And then when we needed a recorder, she humbly stepped back from the action and intensity of the code, took out her pen, and took meticulous notes. She never once thought about herself or what she would prefer to be doing. She only ever thinks about helping her patients and then her colleagues. Midway through the code, we learned that the patient was older than expected. Most pediatric nurses are uncomfortable with older patients and patients outside their usual scope. Jess adjusted immediately.
Once the patient was stabilized, she charted everything perfectly and came in to debrief with my co-resident, my attending, and myself. She came up with distinct points for improvement, patient safety features that can be enhanced, and ways we can communicate more effectively as a team. And then she went back to being charge nurse, went to the waiting room, brought back two more kids, and made them feel safe and well cared for. She is selfless, kind, highly intelligent, and effective, and makes the hospital and the CHER an all-around better place.