February 2011
Kelly
Comer
,
RN
Med Surg
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
St. Petersburg
,
FL
United States
Many times, on the Pediatric Surgical unit, the acuity level is extremely high along with a high census. It is hard enough when one patient deteriorates, but when many change status at the same time, it’s hard to keep it together.
Of our twenty-six patients, we had four that required immediate assistance within an hour time frame. Kelly was in charge, with four patients of her own. She had to calmly be a resource for several newer nurses without a back up charge to help out.
We had one child seizing, requiring immediate intervention with administration of Ativan. Kelly had to assist the nurse in proper protocol of seizure management, since she was a novice nurse. During this instance, she was phoned away to assist another nurse with a patient who was vomiting copious amounts of blood post op. She was able to advise the nurse to contact the physician to update them on the patient’s status and to receive orders. Her assistance was also needed with a s/p shunt revision that had neurological changes that requires a stat CT scan, which took a nurse off the floor. This patient had to be taken back to the OR for an immediate shunt revision. Kelly was able to step in and provide leadership and delegation, with maintaining a calm demeanor. At the same time, we had another patient who started with tachycardia, fever, and shortness of breath after receiving blood products. Kelly was at the bedside to assist the nurses in monitoring the patient’s care that almost required the initiation of a rapid response. She was able to manage yet another crisis on the floor, while still maintaining a positive attitude. Her assistance was further needed by another nurse that had to provide tracheostomy care and education to a family.
Kelly went above and beyond on this night as a charge nurse that required her to be pulled in so many different directions. What was most impressive was her ability to encourage the other nurses through empowerment as things were falling apart, and she did it all with a smile on her face. Her excellent leadership skills did not go unnoticed, as we all nominate her for the DAISY Award.
Of our twenty-six patients, we had four that required immediate assistance within an hour time frame. Kelly was in charge, with four patients of her own. She had to calmly be a resource for several newer nurses without a back up charge to help out.
We had one child seizing, requiring immediate intervention with administration of Ativan. Kelly had to assist the nurse in proper protocol of seizure management, since she was a novice nurse. During this instance, she was phoned away to assist another nurse with a patient who was vomiting copious amounts of blood post op. She was able to advise the nurse to contact the physician to update them on the patient’s status and to receive orders. Her assistance was also needed with a s/p shunt revision that had neurological changes that requires a stat CT scan, which took a nurse off the floor. This patient had to be taken back to the OR for an immediate shunt revision. Kelly was able to step in and provide leadership and delegation, with maintaining a calm demeanor. At the same time, we had another patient who started with tachycardia, fever, and shortness of breath after receiving blood products. Kelly was at the bedside to assist the nurses in monitoring the patient’s care that almost required the initiation of a rapid response. She was able to manage yet another crisis on the floor, while still maintaining a positive attitude. Her assistance was further needed by another nurse that had to provide tracheostomy care and education to a family.
Kelly went above and beyond on this night as a charge nurse that required her to be pulled in so many different directions. What was most impressive was her ability to encourage the other nurses through empowerment as things were falling apart, and she did it all with a smile on her face. Her excellent leadership skills did not go unnoticed, as we all nominate her for the DAISY Award.