Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNLs) are Masters prepared generalist trained to lead the clinical care of a group of patients by looking at the "big picture" in patient care, performing assessments, identifying risks and creating optimal plans with the rest of the healthcare team. CNLs carry on the patient's story and form bonding relationships with their patients through face to face contact.
Leah Ledford is the epitome of a CNL. She is an excellent resource for her colleagues both inside and outside of the high risk obstetric world. She is extremely talented in teaching, coaching and mentoring in that colleagues feel drawn to and comfortable with asking her even the simplest questions.
Leah recently received a phone call for help from a patient who was 11 weeks pregnant. The patient reported feelings of extreme depression and hopelessness. Although the patient lacked suicidal or homicidal ideations, Leah realized the seriousness of this cry for help. Immediately after completing her assessment of the patient over the phone, with permission from the patient, Leah notified the patient's doctor. Leah gave the patient the number to behavioral health (BH) and asked her to call immediately and then call Leah back with an update. The patient called back to explain that a referral from a physician was needed. Leah then called BH to get the details on all that was needed and hunted down the patient's obstetrician to have him complete a referral for BH. Leah then sent in the referral and made sure that BH scheduled a next day appointment for the patient. Leah then updated the HROB team and called the patient back to provide an update and assess for additional needs. The patient was extremely appreciative and elated that Leah took time out of her busy workday to go through such lengths for her. Leah ended the conversation by urging the patient to call back whenever needed. With the patient's approval, Leah made plans to attend her next HROB appointment with her to provide support.
In another situation Leah came across a patient who could not afford eyeglasses. This patient was severely handicapped due to this visual impairment but due to funding issues had to forego reading and seeing clearly at times. Leah researched community resources on her own time to help this patient. After numerous tedious searches Leah found an organization that donated money for things such as eyeglasses to qualified patients. Leah then contacted this patient and gave this information to the patient urging them to contact the organization and call Leah back with updates. A few weeks later the patient contacted Leah and thanked her for her help while expressing her love for the new eyeglasses. Leah then shared the information concerning this organization with many of her colleagues so that they could also help others in need.
These are two small examples of the daily compassion and kindness Leah extends to everyone she makes contact with. Her altruistic caring attitude has changed the lives of not only her patient population but her colleagues who look to her as a role model. Her sense of caring is so contagious that many disciplines outside of the obstetric world have heard a few of her testimonials and have been inspired to care for patients in this manner. Leah has not only improved the quality of holistic nursing care for her patients but she also serves as a great example of someone who continues to transform the philanthropic mission of the entire profession of nursing.