I was recently a patient in the LGH main PACU after my surgery. I would like to share my experience. I am a registered nurse and have been practicing for the past 31 years. I presently work in the pre/post/PACU at WBH. The majority of my experience as an RN has been in the MICU and the ED. I have seen a lot and I have done a lot. I believe nursing is my calling; I could not imagine doing anything else with my life. I have very strong opinions and convictions. I believe to work in a unit such as the PACU, you must have a solid base of critical care experience. You must know what you are doing in the event a situation of life and death suddenly presents itself, and eventually, it will. With that being said, I expect a lot of myself and I hold all nurses to a high standard. It takes a lot to impress me, as I feel saving lives is our job and we must do it well. Not all nurses are equally up to this task.

I had a difficult stay in recovery. I respiratory arrested and needed re-intubated. If it was not for the quick response and expertise of my nurse, Kristen Cornelius, I may not be here typing my story. From what I understand, I was blue with an O2 saturation of 7%. Kristen must have been dying inside; after all, a fellow PACU nurse was circling the drain. Losing a patient, but especially a fellow RN is not something you ever want to happen. Kristen was quick and deliberate in caring for me. I was told she had 30 people at my bedside in a matter of seconds. I decided to have a laryngospasm as well, which made the intubation a bit challenging, to say the least. Nurses know all too well that respiratory arrest can quickly progress to cardiac arrest in a matter of seconds. Kristen was having none of it. It was her quick response and ICU training that saved my life that day. I thank God for her as well as the entire team that intervened to turn me around. It takes a lot to impress me, but let me say, I am absolutely impressed and grateful. My circumstances could have been drastically different.

It is difficult to be a patient when you are used to being the caregiver. The team never missed a beat. Kristen led the way with her care, her compassion (especially with my daughter), her kindness, and her clinical expertise. It is time for a PACU nurse to be recognized and celebrated. Kristen is a true DAISY Nurse.