Suzan represents the best in nursing, the art, and science of human caring. Suzan has been with BCH since 2003 and has worked inpatient - Med Surg Peds, Urgent Care and in the CMC. She is now a Triage Nurse for ambulatory care. While Suzan's focus for her Master's in Nursing was pediatrics, she is clearly passionate about all people and particularly sensitive to the elderly and mental health patients who present to triage so often. She follows up on patients she triages to assure that they have followed through with their care and then outreaches when they have not if she is concerned. Suzan exemplifies excellence in Nursing.
Recently she triaged a 92-year-old gentleman and it was clear from how she spoke, that she had treated him as she would her own parent. I am truly awed by her capacity to care so much about everyone she touches. This patient's wife called concerned about his color, and other issues he was having. As Suzan spoke with the wife on the phone asking triage questions, the wife then checking her husband and answering, Suzan heard him saying in the background in a humorous, light, yet in a sarcastic manner about the possibility that at the age of 92, that this may be the end of his life. While he was being humorous, this touched Suzan and she followed up with him to make sure he was taken care of and had made it to his appointment. Suzan had done more than her job. She had contributed to humanity by caring and allowing for some lightness from the patient and his wife in the inevitability of life's end.
I have also witnessed Suzan triaging mentally ill patients on numerous occasions. She is so calm and caring, never judging, or frustrated. She is able to get the information needed to help the patient. Suzan is always gently persistent in locating the best care for these patients, always willing to go above and beyond, doing the difficult outreach for care and truly caring about them and for them. And with children, Suzan's judgment is excellent. I have heard her gently comfort and reassure a mother as she completed her triage assessment for a respiratory illness that had kept the mother up all night worried and then guide that mother to appropriate care for her infant. Again, making sure the mother understood and was able to get the child to the appropriate venue of care safely.
Suzan also cares about her co-workers. She is so thoughtful with everyone, if someone is ill, or loses a family member, or just having a rough day, Suzan will be so caring and is always doing what she can to make the person feel supported, feel better, feel valued and to feel understood. Suzan is committed to the work it takes to provide informed and expert care. Commitment to continued learning and competence is one of the most caring features a nurse can demonstrate. She cares enough to put forth the effort and resources to remain current in her practice. Suzan holds a Master's Degree in Nursing, with a pediatric focus - Care of Children. She teaches Pediatric Advanced Life Support and attends Nursing Conferences to stay current in her practice. She regularly attends the O'Neil Conference and maintains her certification as a Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse. Suzan is truly a gift to humanity and a tireless patient, person advocate.