Jen Erpelding is an extraordinary nurse. She goes above and beyond for her patients. Whenever I have a question, I know that I can go to Jen. She is very knowledgeable and if she doesn't know the answer, she will know where to look to find one. She is an IV-placing wizard and an incredible resource to the ICU.
Jen is committed to her patients. I have seen her make an impact on so many patients' and families' lives. She always treats everyone with the utmost respect, regardless of the circumstance. She spends her free time making comfort care blankets and fingerprinting kits so that family members of loved ones who die in the ICU have something to take home to remember their loved ones. She pays for most of these supplies out of her own pocket.
Jen is committed to excellent service. She has learned how to place ultrasound IVs (something we desperately need in the ICU to prevent central lines sometimes) and she is bringing that skill to our unit. She is an example to all nurses in the ICU.
In addition to her everyday work in the ICU, Jen is the Unit Council Chair for ICU. She is the front-runner and path-forger for all of our changes in the ICU. She has planned countless baby showers for nurses on the unit. She jumps in to help in any situation regardless if she is Charge RN, RRT RN, or a podmate on the floor. She is a wonderful person to have in the ICU and we are so thankful for her!