It goes without saying that some days in nursing are tough...STAT orders, endless call lights and phone calls, family and patients that need to be educated and cared for...some of these days are made a little "tougher" when staffing is not where we would like for it to be. On these days a nursing unit MUST work as a team to ensure successful, safe, and positive patient outcomes! Today was one of those days.
Today I was lucky enough to work alongside Heather. I charged our entire unit while also caring for 5 patients of my own; it was a very busy day for me and for each of my nurses as well! As a charge nurse I always strive to help my fellow coworkers as much as possible and never let our patient to nurse ratio exceed our standard. Sometimes that isn't possible, and today I was lucky, to say the least, to have Heather on my floor. In the midst of admissions, discharges, and orders pouring in she was her normal positive happy self! At one point she unfortunately had to care for 7 patients at one time, but she didn't even bat an eye. She excepted her assignment with a smile and her "I got this" attitude.
As the day went on she was able to discharge some of her patients, and she recognized one of her coworkers running a little behind. Heather volunteered to accept that nurse's new admission so that that nurse could catch up on her work. She is the definition of a team player and a role model charge nurse! Working with her has certainly been a privilege for me!
My description of this day and the excellent care she provides to her patients could never come close to doing her care justice. If you ever have the honor of working with or being cared for by Heather Poore, you are certainly in the presence of a true nurse!