Nursing is more than just performing prescribed or necessary tasks. It often involves going above and beyond to care for patients and their families. Sophia had volunteered to assist with a rehab patient that had been transferred to 3 Central due to a positive COVID-19 test result for three consecutive nights. On her third night, I was charge nurse for 3 South, and checked in with Sophia and the 3C charge throughout the night regarding the patient. Unfortunately, the patient's status began to deteriorate needing increased oxygen and interventions, and ultimately an escalation of care. When a code was called by the 3C charge nurse, Sophia and others sprang into action to stabilize the patient. I also arrived to assist the code team providers by giving report on the patient and her changes in status throughout the night.
Before the patient's bed was to be draped in plastic for transport to PICU, I saw Sophia - who had been perched on the head of the bed frame in order to hold C-Spine while others changed the inner cannula of the patient's trach - stand on tiptoe and lean over the bed so to look her patient in the eyes. The patient suffers from anxiety, which was exacerbated due to the code situation. Sophia however, leaned over and calmly reassured her patient that everything was going to be alright, explained what the code team was going to be doing to transport her and that she would be right there with her the entire time. She also told the patient how proud she was of her for being so brave and even smiling through this difficult situation. The patient was then calm enough to tolerate the plastic drape and continue transport to PICU.
Several hours later, once all the necessary charting and paperwork was completed, Sophia insisted on inspecting the patient's previous room to ensure all her medications, orthopedic equipment, and personal items had been taken to PICU. As I helped her search the room, she noticed that the environmental services team had disposed of all single-use equipment in the room, and took it upon herself to carry all remaining items to PICU - though she already had put on her backpack and was ready to leave work. I assisted her with carrying all the items. Once in PICU, she asked that I call SPD for the missing orthopedic equipment knowing the patient would need them soon to make bed turns more safe and comfortable due to her injuries.
Finally, after dropping off the equipment in PICU, Sophia noticed the patient's mother had arrived. While the PICU team was unavailable - this was after morning shift change - Sophia took it upon herself to acknowledge the mother and briefly explain the events of the morning, and the escalation of care. When the mother became tearful, Sophia comforted and reassured her that her daughter was safe and receiving the care she needed to ensure continued healing. Nursing is more than medical tasks. It also involves attention to detail, no matter how small, and performing nursing care in a caring manner. Sophia embodied this character trait completely this night! I couldn't be more proud of the way she handled this situation while also attending to the emotional needs of the patient and family.