On May 12, another RN and I were at the bedside about to pull an arterial sheath from a post cardiac cath patient in out Step-down unit. About 3 minutes into holding manual pressure to the femoral artery, the patient stated that he "does not feel good". At this time his vital signs were stable and he was not experiencing any pain. He then reported feeling nauseated, to which the RN assisting me stepped out of the room to get Zofran for the patient.

Rachel, who was also at the bedside, placed a cool cloth on his forehead, while I continue to hold pressure to the artery. Suddenly, he becomes pale, his eyes roll back, and his heart rate drops continuously from 50s, to 30s, and then asystole. A "code" is called.

Rachel's instinctual nursing skills kick in and she immediately starts chest compressions, while I continue to hold manual pressure to his femoral artery. After about 20 chest compressions, the patient inhales deeply, becomes responsive, but is disoriented. Once he is stabilized, his cardiologist decides to transfer him to CVICU for closer monitoring of his rhythm.

Rachel deserves this award because, not only is she a great nurse who saved a life, but this patient is her own father. She was not expecting to save a life that day. I still get chills when I talk about that day and think about her ability to act so heroically.