Norma Magana, RN

Norma cared for a patient in the PACU who had undergone a surgical procedure. During the recovery phase, the patient was alert, their vitals were stable, and she was tolerating fluid intake. Closer to the time the patient was going to be discharged, Norma gained an additional set of vitals which showed the patient had become very hypotensive. Norma contacted the surgeon promptly and obtained orders. When those orders did not help the hypotension, she communicated with the doctor and intervened. She placed a second IV, collected labs, and prepared the patient to go to a CT scan. Norma kept in close communication with the physician and never left the patient’s side. She kept her patient calm and safe, and the patient knew she was being well cared for by Norma. Diagnostic imaging showed that the patient had an arterial bleed and emergent transfer and intervention at a higher level of care. Without Norma’s attention to detail, great nursing assessment, and exceptional care for the patient, I believe we would be looking at a different outcome. The patient was successfully transferred to Banner Desert and was able to be discharged a few days after. I am so grateful to work with a nurse like Norma. She is such a vital asset to our team and to our patients. She exemplifies what it means to be a compassionate caregiver.