Kathy is one of the best of the best amongst the members of our Emergency Department Team. I have said for years that she is the nurse you want present in the ED if you or your loved one would ever come into our ED as a trauma or cardiac patient. Kathy takes charge, people listen, and people learn from her leadership and her experience. Kathy has had quite a long tenure in our ED and is respected amongst her peers, the doctors, and the patients.
Kathy helps to educate, and mentors the younger nurses and other staff members. She is also one of our preceptors for the high school job shadow students and for the IVCC nursing students. She is an amazing asset to PMH. Kathy is kind of the "go to" nurse when someone has a question about a procedure, a piece of equipment, policy, etc. I have worked next to Kathy for many, many years and have watched her grow into the epitome of an awesome nurse!
One recent example of her expertise in the field of Emergency Medicine is when a little boy presented to our ED in very critical condition. Without going into detail, this child would not be given the opportunity to make the wonderful recovery without the skill, knowledge, and tenacity that Kathy showed that day. The attending doctor in the ED that day, has said that this young boy would not be alive today if it hadn't been for the care Kathy (amongst others) gave to him that afternoon. Kathy not only took care of the child but also prayed with the parents as well. Again, this is just one of the many times Kathy has intervened and provided safe, compassionate skillful care to those in need. Kathy is smart, cautious, yet bold, skillful and truly an all-around amazing nurse.
I started in the ED 21 plus years ago. I was petrified, unsure and felt I was not up for the tasks of an Emergency Room nurse. Kathy and the others, as good nurses do, took me under their wings and taught me so very much. I have come to love Emergency Medicine because of amazing nurses such as Kathy Long. She is a true rock star in the field of nursing; a champion for all that is good in Emergency Medicine. Perry Memorial and the members of our community and the people we serve are fortunate to have Kathy in our ED.