I am an RN on Special Care at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. I would like to take the opportunity to recognize a fellow employee and my charge nurse yesterday, Brittany Dalrymple.
Brittany demonstrated several qualities, including trust, compassion, respect, integrity, collaboration, quality outcomes, shared leadership, and synergy; but there is one quality, exemplary practice, I would like to discuss in depth.
First, let me start out by stating that yesterday was not the greatest of days. The day started out fairly normal and progressed into a very busy day. Despite the best planning and preparing that I attempted earlier in the day, my pre-arranged schedule fell out of place when I was tasked with taking a patient down for a procedure that ultimately took several hours. Expressing my concern to my charge nurse, Brittany then took it upon herself to address my concerns and assist with tasks that had to be completed. Additionally, she took the time to make sure that I understood my responsibilities during the previously mentioned procedure. Even though I was not on the unit, Brittany checked in with me several times during the procedure, to make sure that I was ok and if I needed any assistance.
This, in itself, has shown that Brittany has shown exemplary practice as not only a nurse but also a Nurse Leader!
Furthermore, I had a patient who was discharged, and the parent was supposed to arrive when I was away from the unit assisting with the procedure. Long story short, the discharge became complicated due to social issues. Brittany took the time to discuss the issues at hand with the parent. Creating an outcome, that was fair for this circumstance.
Sometimes in times of hardship, do we see just how appreciative and grateful we should be. My words do not put Brittany's qualities, such as Exemplary Practice, to justice.