I would like to nominate the team on 5N for its commitment to excellence throughout the pandemic. As the former manager of this team- it has been long overdue that I write this nomination. I feel blessed to have worked with such an excellent nursing team. The pandemic was a journey for us all but the 5N team was dealt with a tall task- being the Covid unit. When I first announced to the team that the unit would be Covid I was met with blank stares and then uncertainty. All that I could promise them was that we’d get through it together and that this would be a group effort I still remember that first Covid patient we received on a Friday evening. The team sprung into action to get what was needed- isolation signs, PPE, and coordinating with ancillary and clinical departments. Unbeknownst to them- he was not nearly the sickest patient that the team would encounter. After that- we started to make jokes about Fridays, as that was usually the day something major would happen. We’d get a big surge of patients, or a new policy would come out; Fridays weren’t our best days, but they always took it with a smile, laughed and they powered through. In the months into the year ahead, the 5N team would encounter many challenges. Team nursing with the ICUs. Relocating their specialized patient population to another unit and caring for them without being in their typical surroundings. Opening units throughout the hospital that were full of Covid patients, float staff and travelers. With that challenge becoming the guide to all things Covid and spending a lot of time dealing with the fears and frustrations of team members that did not want to deal with the challenges that the team was facing on a day-to-day basis. I asked a lot of them especially in the beginning because that was what we were tasked with. They even cared for many pregnant patients during the delta surge- which was not their expertise but as always, they jumped right in and collaborated with the team at the women’s hospital. They ALWAYS took it in stride, never yelled at others but took a deep sigh and tried to explain the why. The 5N team is good for that- explaining the importance of everything we do daily. The team naturally had their bad days; days they cried, days they were frustrated with Covid, and days they were frustrated with just life. During those days the team always rallied around one another. The 5N team was more than a team for each other, they were the team for the hospital. They consistently went above and beyond to care for patients and support all other nursing departments during the pandemic. This team should be recognized for their leadership and the excellent care that they provided to their patients during this pandemic. I could go on and on about the 5N team and the great things they did during this pandemic, but I believe it is very important that they are recognized for all the work they did during the past two years. 

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The 5N Team is comprised of extraordinary persons. Each person is highly skilled, extremely knowledgeable, and a compassionate team member who consistently displays and promotes the highest ethical standards. This team delivers excellence on a daily basis and they help support each other. Their teamwork makes a difference and documented research shows the benefits of excellent patient care on patient outcomes. We hold the highest regard for the 5 North team. May God bless each and every one of them.