Christin Marchbanks proves to be a force to be reckoned with. She has a passion for patient care that supersedes barriers, challenges, and setbacks. She never forgets her why.
This passion for great nursing care was put to the test when she boarded a plane heading to Las Vegas in August. When Christin boarded the plane she sat over the wing of the plane, a place she says she rarely ever sits. During the onboarding of the other passengers, Christin was using this opportunity to listen to some medical study material via her headphones. Despite being focused on listening and retaining the information being played through her headphones, Christin noticed a few uncommon things unfold.
Christin noticed the flight attendant speaking to someone using a phone resembling that of a landline. A little while later, Christin noticed the flight attendant standing right next to her to use a port in the ceiling of the plane to communicate with someone on the ground below. At this time, Christin removed one of her headphones and asked the attendant what was going on. Initially, the flight attendant was not forthcoming with any information. Christin was persistent and did not stop there. She introduced herself as an ICU nurse and asked again what was going on and if she could be of assistance.
Learning this vital information, the flight attendant informed Christin of a passenger aboard the plane who believed she was having a heart attack. Christin immediately sprang into action and went to the passenger to triage her. I'd be remised if I did not mention that while attempting to triage the passenger, Christin had to again be assertive with a paramedic who was tending to the passenger and was unable to obtain a blood pressure reading. As I've already mentioned, Christin never forgets her why and is a force to be reckoned with.
After triaging the passenger, Christin decided this was more than likely not a heart attack but was instead probably a panic attack coupled with a rebound reaction of steroids as the passenger had abruptly stopped taking the medication. Her care for this passenger did not stop there. Christin changed her seat on the flight and sat next to the passenger the remainder of the flight. Christin allowed the passenger to lie her head on her chest. Christin talked her through deep breathing for the rest of the flight.
Upon landing, the passenger was met by EMS and was given the complete work over. Christin was accurate in her assessments. There was no heart attack. It was a panic attack.
The airline has reached out to Christin and has rewarded her with flight incentives as a thank you for her acts aboard the plane.
It is true that not all superheroes wear capes, some wear scrubs and stethoscopes. In this case, this superhero didn't need a cape, scrubs, or stethoscope, just a willingness to serve and the determination to push through barriers!
I am truly blessed to call Christin one of my nurses!