I often kid with Meredith that she has a "black cloud" hanging over her head because if a shift is going to be chaotic and exhausting, it typically happens on her shift. However, regardless of how difficult her assignment is, she takes it in stride and never misses a beat. Today, I watched her work tirelessly with a young and very sick 30ish-year-old patient that I literally felt compelled to come home from our shift and write this nomination for her. Meredith admitted this patient from an outside hospital who coded there and was now being worked up for possible meningitis. Further imaging revealed that the patient likely had a venous sinus thrombosis and would need to have a cerebral angiogram performed. While waiting for her angiogram, she was able to accomplish several important tasks at the bedside. When the attending physician came to round on her patient, the attending noted several things that should be completed prior to the patient leaving the unit for the test including starting a heparin drip, receiving all of her ordered antibiotics, fluid boluses, etc., all of which she already had done. While completing additional tasks, Meredith noticed a neuro exam change which prompted several calls to the CCM team, Neurology team, and the Neurosurgery team. She was able to swiftly make calls, delegate others to make calls, all while keeping a close eye on her patient. Within minutes, two other patients on the unit were decompensating and I looked up to see her there lending a helping hand.
I later saw her speaking to her patient's parents who had been anxiously waiting to see their daughter all day. Her calm and compassionate demeanor most definitely helped put the parents' anxiety at ease and I could tell that they felt comfortable knowing she was receiving the best possible nursing care.
I am confident that Meredith gave her the absolute best chance of the most meaningful recovery. I feel honored to have worked with her while she was a PCT, student nurse, new graduate nurse, and now an exceptional bedside nurse taking care of some of the most complicated patients. She is an asset to the ICU and a true DAISY Nurse.