LCH 9 and 7A
at Levine Children's Hospital
May 2023
LCH 9 and 7A
at Levine Children's Hospital
LCH 9 and 7A
Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital
Charlotte
,
NC
United States
Kayla Horne, MSN, RN, CPN
Zena Al-Abed, RN
Savannah Allard, RN
Mackenzie Barber, RN
Lyndsey Barnes, RN
Tara Charobee, RN
Shelby Culver, RN
Jennifer Dineen, RN
McKenzie Dion, BSN, RN
Lily Discepolo, RN
Kirsten Elliot, RN
Emilee Escher, RN
Jordan Fenniger, RN
Abigail Garshnick, RN
Alyssa Gordon, RN
Chapman Gordon, RN
Heather Hanlon, RN
Kristen Hatley, RN
Karina Husband, RN
Kristen Hults, RN
Mirah Jabbar, RN
Amanda Jenkins, RN
Madison Johnston, RN
Teriankica Johnson, RN
Erin Judge, RN
Kelsey Kent, RN
Marshaye Leake, RN
Destiny Lunch, RN
Michelle Mavarak, RN
Margaret MacKay, RN
Wendy McAuliffe, RN
Jordan Mitchell, RN
Taylor Plattenburg, RN
Lauren Podwell, RN
Alexandra Portal, BSN, RN, CPN
Victoria Reichel, RN
Madison Riley, RN
Erica Russ, RN
Chastity Seamon, RN
Veronica Serrano, RN
Mary Shaw, BSN, RN, CPN
Cailyn Steele, RN
Samantha Steele, BSN, RN, CPN
Mallory Swarts, RN
Dariana Valencia Pena, RN
Michelle Van Aken, RN
Tabitha Wambold, RN
Alendra Wombwell, BSN, RN, CPN
Ashley Young, RN
Travel RN's
Carson Bell, RN
Mariya Currier, RN
Kenna Dyess, RN
Haley Littlejohn-White, RN
Christina Pigozzi, RN
Zena Al-Abed, RN
Savannah Allard, RN
Mackenzie Barber, RN
Lyndsey Barnes, RN
Tara Charobee, RN
Shelby Culver, RN
Jennifer Dineen, RN
McKenzie Dion, BSN, RN
Lily Discepolo, RN
Kirsten Elliot, RN
Emilee Escher, RN
Jordan Fenniger, RN
Abigail Garshnick, RN
Alyssa Gordon, RN
Chapman Gordon, RN
Heather Hanlon, RN
Kristen Hatley, RN
Karina Husband, RN
Kristen Hults, RN
Mirah Jabbar, RN
Amanda Jenkins, RN
Madison Johnston, RN
Teriankica Johnson, RN
Erin Judge, RN
Kelsey Kent, RN
Marshaye Leake, RN
Destiny Lunch, RN
Michelle Mavarak, RN
Margaret MacKay, RN
Wendy McAuliffe, RN
Jordan Mitchell, RN
Taylor Plattenburg, RN
Lauren Podwell, RN
Alexandra Portal, BSN, RN, CPN
Victoria Reichel, RN
Madison Riley, RN
Erica Russ, RN
Chastity Seamon, RN
Veronica Serrano, RN
Mary Shaw, BSN, RN, CPN
Cailyn Steele, RN
Samantha Steele, BSN, RN, CPN
Mallory Swarts, RN
Dariana Valencia Pena, RN
Michelle Van Aken, RN
Tabitha Wambold, RN
Alendra Wombwell, BSN, RN, CPN
Ashley Young, RN
Travel RN's
Carson Bell, RN
Mariya Currier, RN
Kenna Dyess, RN
Haley Littlejohn-White, RN
Christina Pigozzi, RN
I have the honor and privilege of leading the remarkable group of individuals who make up the LCH 9/LCH 7A team. They are talented, compassionate, resilient, loyal, fun and determined among many other characteristics. All characteristics that are worthy of the prestigious DAISY Team Award.
Over the last three years, I have watched the team endure many changes that were both challenging and at times overwhelming. In 2020 LCH 9 was selected to cohort all Covid 19 pediatric patients, early in the pandemic. This was a time of fear unaware of the unknown. I watched them come to work every shift caring for the sickest patients. During this time, the nurses were in and out of rooms all shift, while other disciplines spoke to patients from a screen while they were outside the room. The team could have become angry or questioned things. They didn’t. I had several nurses tell me “I wouldn’t have it any other way” “I am going to be in the room and providing care” “This child/family is scared and everyone else will not go near them, I will”.
In late 2021 the team was made aware that the 9th floor of LCH would be becoming the PICU and the current LCH 9 would move to LCH 7A. This news came with many emotions for the team. Several nurses on my team had moved over from 7A to LCH 9 in December of 2007. They remember bringing the first patients and their families over to current state LCH 9. The thought of moving away from the unit that had been home for 15 years was devastating. Many said that they couldn’t imagine getting on the elevator and pressing any other number than 9. This was their family, and this was “home”.
We opened 7A as a beautiful new unit in August 2022 which was very exciting but came with navigating working between two units. The team has handled this beautifully. I will never forget when the team first saw the design of the new unit; the thing they loved the most was that the nurse’s station was large, not divided by two areas or sides, and they would all be together. Meanwhile, the hardest part of navigating the world of going between two units was being split up each shift to provide staff for both LCH 7A and LCH 9. With the need for pediatric general beds, we quickly expanded from having 12 beds in use on the 9th floor to 24 unlike originally planned. The team knew that things might be tough for a while, but they also knew that their community needed them and that this would pass. Since September of 2022, we have cared for 39 beds between the two units, 12 being satellite beds, versus the 24 beds that we historically cared for on 9, in addition to 15 on 7A. The team navigated being short-staffed as we have filled positions to make up for the increase in beds. We hired 10 travelers whom they welcomed with open arms. A few of our travelers are even considering staying with us in permanent positions, as they have enjoyed working on our team, which is a compliment to the team.
In November 2022, we experienced a pediatric respiratory surge that was nationwide. Levine Children’s was impacted and since respiratory patients are typically cared for on LCH 9, the teammates felt it. Many patients were very sick and were escalating above their floor oxygen max. We saw quickly that we did not have the capacity in PICU to send every patient to ICU that reached their floor max for oxygen therapy. Multiple physicians, intensivists, and leaders came together, and we decided that we needed a unit to cohort these patients where the patients would get the close care they needed, more oxygen support, and frequent monitoring from our respiratory therapy team and our APP intensivist from PICU. This would also involve transferring patients off of other general floors to come to this space for specialized care. We did not have another PICU, nor did we have extra PICU nurses, however, we could provide additional resources and support to LCH 9 to take on this huge responsibility. This change was made quickly, as we had patients that needed care. The team was quickly told about the Respiratory Surge Unit, (RSU) and given education, and began taking care of patients that would typically be cared for in an ICU setting. I watched my team care for these patients with grace and compassion and did so while managing several other patients, because of our baseline staffing ratios. They collaborated well with our PICU partners and respiratory team and often times said, “We are the right team for this job.” They were the right team for this job, and they proved that with the excellent care they provided.
As mentioned earlier, LCH 9/7A has endured many challenges over the last few years. Those challenges have made them a strong team, a team that stands together and supports one another, and is resilient no matter what comes their way.
As the nurse manager, there are many times that I take care of and advocate for this team. However, on a personal note, I will never forget how this team has cared for me and my family. My husband and I endured years of infertility partnered with IVF and IUI. We experienced two miscarriages. With each miscarriage, my team showed up for me like they do their patients and families. Fast forward to December of 2022, and I was able to share the most exciting news with my team, whom I consider my family. I shared that my husband and I were expecting. They cried tears of joy followed by hugs and pure excitement, when announced. They continue to share in my excitement and are even extremely protective that I do not work too much or overdo it. Their support and kindness in both my hardest times and most exciting times will never be forgotten. I say all of this to say, I have felt what our patients get to experience every day having these amazing individuals care for them. Being a nurse involves so much more than just a skill set of giving meds/treatments, starting IVs, etc. So much of nursing comes from the heart.
I will always consider myself blessed to lead this team. They make me proud every day with their desire to care for their patients and families no matter the circumstances and the love they have for one another. I am a better person and leader because of the impact they have left on me! I cannot think of a more deserving team for the DAISY Team Award!
Over the last three years, I have watched the team endure many changes that were both challenging and at times overwhelming. In 2020 LCH 9 was selected to cohort all Covid 19 pediatric patients, early in the pandemic. This was a time of fear unaware of the unknown. I watched them come to work every shift caring for the sickest patients. During this time, the nurses were in and out of rooms all shift, while other disciplines spoke to patients from a screen while they were outside the room. The team could have become angry or questioned things. They didn’t. I had several nurses tell me “I wouldn’t have it any other way” “I am going to be in the room and providing care” “This child/family is scared and everyone else will not go near them, I will”.
In late 2021 the team was made aware that the 9th floor of LCH would be becoming the PICU and the current LCH 9 would move to LCH 7A. This news came with many emotions for the team. Several nurses on my team had moved over from 7A to LCH 9 in December of 2007. They remember bringing the first patients and their families over to current state LCH 9. The thought of moving away from the unit that had been home for 15 years was devastating. Many said that they couldn’t imagine getting on the elevator and pressing any other number than 9. This was their family, and this was “home”.
We opened 7A as a beautiful new unit in August 2022 which was very exciting but came with navigating working between two units. The team has handled this beautifully. I will never forget when the team first saw the design of the new unit; the thing they loved the most was that the nurse’s station was large, not divided by two areas or sides, and they would all be together. Meanwhile, the hardest part of navigating the world of going between two units was being split up each shift to provide staff for both LCH 7A and LCH 9. With the need for pediatric general beds, we quickly expanded from having 12 beds in use on the 9th floor to 24 unlike originally planned. The team knew that things might be tough for a while, but they also knew that their community needed them and that this would pass. Since September of 2022, we have cared for 39 beds between the two units, 12 being satellite beds, versus the 24 beds that we historically cared for on 9, in addition to 15 on 7A. The team navigated being short-staffed as we have filled positions to make up for the increase in beds. We hired 10 travelers whom they welcomed with open arms. A few of our travelers are even considering staying with us in permanent positions, as they have enjoyed working on our team, which is a compliment to the team.
In November 2022, we experienced a pediatric respiratory surge that was nationwide. Levine Children’s was impacted and since respiratory patients are typically cared for on LCH 9, the teammates felt it. Many patients were very sick and were escalating above their floor oxygen max. We saw quickly that we did not have the capacity in PICU to send every patient to ICU that reached their floor max for oxygen therapy. Multiple physicians, intensivists, and leaders came together, and we decided that we needed a unit to cohort these patients where the patients would get the close care they needed, more oxygen support, and frequent monitoring from our respiratory therapy team and our APP intensivist from PICU. This would also involve transferring patients off of other general floors to come to this space for specialized care. We did not have another PICU, nor did we have extra PICU nurses, however, we could provide additional resources and support to LCH 9 to take on this huge responsibility. This change was made quickly, as we had patients that needed care. The team was quickly told about the Respiratory Surge Unit, (RSU) and given education, and began taking care of patients that would typically be cared for in an ICU setting. I watched my team care for these patients with grace and compassion and did so while managing several other patients, because of our baseline staffing ratios. They collaborated well with our PICU partners and respiratory team and often times said, “We are the right team for this job.” They were the right team for this job, and they proved that with the excellent care they provided.
As mentioned earlier, LCH 9/7A has endured many challenges over the last few years. Those challenges have made them a strong team, a team that stands together and supports one another, and is resilient no matter what comes their way.
As the nurse manager, there are many times that I take care of and advocate for this team. However, on a personal note, I will never forget how this team has cared for me and my family. My husband and I endured years of infertility partnered with IVF and IUI. We experienced two miscarriages. With each miscarriage, my team showed up for me like they do their patients and families. Fast forward to December of 2022, and I was able to share the most exciting news with my team, whom I consider my family. I shared that my husband and I were expecting. They cried tears of joy followed by hugs and pure excitement, when announced. They continue to share in my excitement and are even extremely protective that I do not work too much or overdo it. Their support and kindness in both my hardest times and most exciting times will never be forgotten. I say all of this to say, I have felt what our patients get to experience every day having these amazing individuals care for them. Being a nurse involves so much more than just a skill set of giving meds/treatments, starting IVs, etc. So much of nursing comes from the heart.
I will always consider myself blessed to lead this team. They make me proud every day with their desire to care for their patients and families no matter the circumstances and the love they have for one another. I am a better person and leader because of the impact they have left on me! I cannot think of a more deserving team for the DAISY Team Award!