Melody Nelson
July 2019
Melody
Nelson
,
RN, BSN
Med/Surg
Ascension Via Christi Hospital Pittsburg
Pittsburg
,
KS
United States
When I first started working the night shift with Melody on the 4th floor, I knew there was something special about her. I could tell immediately that not only did she work hard, but she also took pride in her work as a nurse. I could also tell that she was very knowledgeable and noticed that she did not mess around when it came to the health and wellbeing of her patients. After only working with her for three months, I got to see just how patient, knowledgeable, intelligent, and amazing she is firsthand.
Thanksgiving Day, my five-week-old son was admitted to Via Christi hospital with wheezing and hypoxia. I remember hoping and praying that Melody was working and that she would be my baby's nurse. I was extremely relieved to find out she would be caring for my son. I knew from working with her that she wouldn't mess around and would immediately call the doctor if she felt my baby needed something. And that is exactly what she did. As soon as we got to our room, my son began to require more oxygen. So, Melody called the on-call doctor and got an order for vapotherm to assist my baby with his breathing.
After an hour on vapotherm and his breathing and oxygen levels not improving, Melody again called the on-call doctor and said, "Something just isn't right. I don't feel comfortable with him staying here, and I think he needs to be shipped to a different facility that specializes in neonates or pediatrics." And thanks to that phone call, my son is still alive. I believe wholeheartedly that Melody saved my baby's life that night, just by observing the signs and symptoms and knowing when to call the doctor.
My son's right lung had filled up with so much mucus that it had completely collapsed. He couldn't move any air through one of his lungs. He was struggling to breathe, and Melody could see that. She knew he needed a hospital that could provide a higher level of care. My five-week-old baby was flown to Children's Mercy in Kansas City and was in the PICU for a week, battling two viruses that cause the "common cold" in healthy adults and children. Those viruses nearly killed my baby, but thanks to Melody and her dedication to her patients, my little guy is alive and thriving!
Thanksgiving Day, my five-week-old son was admitted to Via Christi hospital with wheezing and hypoxia. I remember hoping and praying that Melody was working and that she would be my baby's nurse. I was extremely relieved to find out she would be caring for my son. I knew from working with her that she wouldn't mess around and would immediately call the doctor if she felt my baby needed something. And that is exactly what she did. As soon as we got to our room, my son began to require more oxygen. So, Melody called the on-call doctor and got an order for vapotherm to assist my baby with his breathing.
After an hour on vapotherm and his breathing and oxygen levels not improving, Melody again called the on-call doctor and said, "Something just isn't right. I don't feel comfortable with him staying here, and I think he needs to be shipped to a different facility that specializes in neonates or pediatrics." And thanks to that phone call, my son is still alive. I believe wholeheartedly that Melody saved my baby's life that night, just by observing the signs and symptoms and knowing when to call the doctor.
My son's right lung had filled up with so much mucus that it had completely collapsed. He couldn't move any air through one of his lungs. He was struggling to breathe, and Melody could see that. She knew he needed a hospital that could provide a higher level of care. My five-week-old baby was flown to Children's Mercy in Kansas City and was in the PICU for a week, battling two viruses that cause the "common cold" in healthy adults and children. Those viruses nearly killed my baby, but thanks to Melody and her dedication to her patients, my little guy is alive and thriving!