Meghan Rowan
February 2023
Meghan
Rowan
,
BSN, RN, CCRN
Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Children's National Hospital
Washington
,
DC
United States
When we would ask to take our daughter outside, there were many concerns; but Meghan made it happen.
This nomination is long overdue. Something I meant to complete long before our time in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) concluded. My wife and I were in the CICU for almost 300 days in 2022 with our little girl. We met many extraordinary nurses. At some point before the middle of the year, I knew we would nominate Meghan for the DAISY Award.
Immediately when we met Meghan, we were grateful for her close eye and care for our daughter. If the qualities of a great nurse are broken down into 3 or 4 categories: intrapersonal skills, expertise application, problem-solving, and effort- Meghan has high marks in all. To me, the clearest demonstration of a well and fully-rounded nurse.
To me, our best days, have always been in Meghan’s hands. One of the first meaningful things Meghan did for us was get us a recliner chair so that we could comfortably hold our daughter. For some time, we were using the blue staff chairs that sat by the computers. She did this for us without being asked. And even months later when someone took it without us knowing, she tracked it down for us. Meghan was promoted to Shift Coordinator (Charge Nurse) a couple months after we met. Even though she was at the bedside with our daughter less often, I always knew we were in good hands when she was around, still providing her insights and providing forethought to avoid complications.
Our daughter went many months without experiencing fresh air outside. She was connected to many devices like the VAD and CRRT machines. When we would ask to take our daughter outside, there were many concerns; but Meghan made it happen. Meghan was the first nurse to take our daughter outside, even before her VAD explant surgery. And not only that, but she also got our daughter outside again, creating a pattern and rhythm for other nurses to follow. Our daughter only got outside a handful of times before she passed away. Meghan made many of our dreams come true.
Immediately when we met Meghan, we were grateful for her close eye and care for our daughter. If the qualities of a great nurse are broken down into 3 or 4 categories: intrapersonal skills, expertise application, problem-solving, and effort- Meghan has high marks in all. To me, the clearest demonstration of a well and fully-rounded nurse.
To me, our best days, have always been in Meghan’s hands. One of the first meaningful things Meghan did for us was get us a recliner chair so that we could comfortably hold our daughter. For some time, we were using the blue staff chairs that sat by the computers. She did this for us without being asked. And even months later when someone took it without us knowing, she tracked it down for us. Meghan was promoted to Shift Coordinator (Charge Nurse) a couple months after we met. Even though she was at the bedside with our daughter less often, I always knew we were in good hands when she was around, still providing her insights and providing forethought to avoid complications.
Our daughter went many months without experiencing fresh air outside. She was connected to many devices like the VAD and CRRT machines. When we would ask to take our daughter outside, there were many concerns; but Meghan made it happen. Meghan was the first nurse to take our daughter outside, even before her VAD explant surgery. And not only that, but she also got our daughter outside again, creating a pattern and rhythm for other nurses to follow. Our daughter only got outside a handful of times before she passed away. Meghan made many of our dreams come true.