Susan responded to a transport call to University Hospital where she walked into a very unstable newborn who was gravely ill. After intubating and working with the baby for about an hour her team brought the baby here to our unit. She helped the admitting nurse the remainder of the night trying to stabilize the baby. It became apparent by early morning that baby would need to go on ECMO to receive CVVH to survive. She then had to go and build the circuit while her relief took over care of the patient. As morning crept into midday she was still up working to facilitate ECMO when there was a PET call on the floor. She responded to that call around 1130. The child was ill enough to need admission into the PICU. She stayed with the child on the floor for an hour and half until a clean room in the PICU was available. She got to bed at 1300 and was back at the bedside of the gravely ill ECMO baby's bedside by 2030. The baby did not do well and she wound up running two codes. Unfortunately, we were not able to save the baby.

Susan had formed a bond with the family. She stayed with them called for the Chaplin, got all the supplies from child life and L&D so she could dress the baby, and make the keepsake box. The child life representative came and was prepared to complete the keepsake box but Susan wanted to do it. She was emotionally and physically exhausted but she knew it would be easier for the family for her to stay with them. She was in the room supporting them, grieving with them, and crying with them. She was there for them as long as they needed her until they finally left.

I am proud to work with Susan, learn from her, be supported by her level expertise, and her capacity to care.