Noah Cannon’s critical thinking, clinical assessment, and strong rapport with the Emergency Department team directly contributed to saving a patient’s life. Initially, Noah was caring for what appeared to be a straightforward case: a patient with NSTEMI receiving heparin, a scenario he had managed many times before.

Demonstrating vigilance, Noah remained at the bedside and identified concerning nuances in the patient’s presentation — specifically the nature and location of pain, as well as trending vital signs. Trusting his clinical judgment, Noah escalated his concerns to the provider, who acted on his suspicion and ordered a CT scan. The scan revealed a Type A aortic dissection.

This outcome underscores more than routine nursing care. As a newer nurse in the department, Noah has invested significant time outside of work studying, asking questions, and engaging in discussions with providers. His dedication has fostered a collaborative and trusting relationship with the care team. In this case, Noah’s confidence in his knowledge and instincts proved pivotal. Rather than dismissing his observations or remaining silent, he advocated for the patient, preventing a fatal outcome.