Every shift Terri demonstrates the two attributes necessary to be considered an outstanding RN; professional nursing skills and a genuine commitment to helping others.
Terri retired from UMC in Feb 2020 as she had planned to do long ago - before the virus was known. While it has become commonplace for seasoned healthcare professionals to take a buyout or early retirement for fear of the disease, instead Terri has come out of retirement to help as an L & D per diem nurse. Terri has been an inspiration to her associates whether as a floor Nurse, Charge Nurse, or Manager. In her 30 years at UMC, Terri Hutt worked in the ICU, OR, and L & D, but she always favored L & D above all others. I met Terri in 2005 when I was a nursing student. In 2006 I precepted in Labor & Delivery.
While we do have a history, saying to have Terri on the team is not something that just sounds cool or professional, it has true, potentially lifesaving value. While I was mentoring her we had an unruly pregnant patient under the influence of multiple substances and a mental health disorder. The patient was very difficult, she would not stay still for more than 5 seconds, she would not follow commands or carry any type of conversation. For medical reasons, the OB Doctors decided to induce this patient and deliver her baby.
Terri realized that the patient could not be safely induced at that time and talked to the Doctors. They listened to Terri and agreed to take the time to calm the patient before moving forward. The patient delivered on the following shift without incident. Terri and I spoke about it later and we agreed it was the longest 12-hour shift either of us has ever worked. Just another day at the office!
While it was a good outcome it might not have been without the right nurse on the job. It matters to have a nurse on your team that instinctively thinks on her feet, keeps the physicians on point, all while keeping the patient out of harm's way.