Vanessa has been instrumental in the development and success of the pediatric critical care unit since its opening. She is a dedicated RN who cares deeply about her patients. Vanessa is one of the best advocates for her patients in all the stages of healing. From the postoperative cardiac babies to the chronic kids who have been on the unit for many days, weeks or months. But you may ask, what sets Vanessa aside from all the other nurses and what makes her a DAISY Nurse? Let me explain.
Vanessa was very instrumental in the care of a young patient. He underwent a very complicated heart repair for which his stay was complicated requiring CRRT, peritoneal dialysis, wound infection, and tracheostomy on top of his cardiac interventions. You get the picture. The care was very complex and he came from a very caring, well-known family. Every opportunity Vanessa had to care for him she took it. She had developed a rapport and relationship with the family that any parent could hope for. A relationship where when Vanessa walked in the door, you knew it was going to be a good day. As his conditions improved, he experienced difficulties with accepting all that happened to him. What young boy wouldn't? It was one day when the patient said he "wasn't brave", despite Vanessa telling him he was the bravest, strongest boy in the entire hospital, even stronger than teenagers. He was finally at the point he could leave the unit, which had held him hostage for many months.
Vanessa took the opportunity on many occasions to brighten this boy's day. She often took him to the gift shop, to the cafeteria, for ice cream; spending time outside of the medical world that had haunted him continuously. They enjoyed shopping, eating, anything that would take his mind off of the terrible course he was experiencing. Vanessa did this many days and many times a day when spirits were down. But the one day that stands out the most was the day when he said, "I'm not brave". Like the many times before, Vanessa took him downstairs to the children's lobby to brighten his day. Vanessa immediately went and spoke to the security guards, who to children, are there to serve and protect us. The security guards have no fear and are as brave as they come. She proceeded to inform the security staff that this patient had been in the hospital for a long time and has had quite a complicated course. Vanessa went on to tell them how he was not feeling brave. It was only then while Vanessa and this patient were enjoying their time off the unit, that multiple security guards approached. The conversation went along these lines: "I'm told your name is X and we've heard about you. We've heard that you are one of the strongest and most brave children in the hospital." The security staff proceeded to build his spirits up and make him forget the feelings he had, forget the countless procedures, countless days in bed and forget everything that this boy had undergone. They proceeded to give him a security badge sticker and asked if would join them as part of their team. This changed him. The happiness, pride, sense of belonging he felt as he went back to his room (where he had battled his conditions). For the next hours and days, he was on cloud nine, telling everyone how brave he was, how he was part of the security team and how he was braver than teenagers and how security staff told him he was brave.
Vanessa didn't stop there. The next time she and this patient traveled down on their afternoon dates, they would again see security staff who now knew him. They made it a point to remind him how brave he was and how he was part of the team. Again, boosting his confidence and ability to tolerate another day of his treatment plan.
This is just one example of Vanessa going above and beyond her nursing roles. She identified the struggles of her patient, got to know him and impacted his life and healing. Had Vanessa not been so invested in this patient and her other patients, I'm not sure they all would have the good outcomes they do.
Vanessa's dedication to children, HDVCH and the PICU is top-notch and like that of no other.