Working in the CIU emergency department is not for the faint of heart, or the weak of spirit. It takes a special strength and compassion to provide care for the mentally ill and behaviorally challenged patient in crisis. Karen performs this role with the utmost professionalism and empathy for her patients day in and day out. There is no exception. Even with a busy census or heavy patient assignment, she exemplifies such grace not only with her patients but her fellow CIU and ED staff members.

As a nurse in PEDS ED, I often send patients to in the CIU. She is always friendly and personable when taking report, and when her census is low she takes the time to check in with us and see if she can assist us in anyway.

Recently, we had a patient who had to stay in the CIU for an unexpected and unusually long stay. There isn’t much to do in the CIU for an adolescent, but whenever Karen had a moment in between patient care, she would read books to this patient who didn’t know how to read. Just like a fine art, she emulates the truest nursing nature of empathy and kindness. We appreciate her and are always grateful for her service and friendship in the RGH family. We remain thankful that the patients in the CIU have nurses of such high caliber as Karen.