As COVID-19 made its deadly appearance in our region, it was apparent that we all underestimated this beast of a disease. Our ICU beds were soon filled to capacity causing overflow areas to quickly open and there too, to be filled whenever opened. At the time of the pandemic, our ICU wasn't prepared to staff the onslaught we faced, so our administrative team became creative, as I believe every administrative team did around the world. We had nurses deployed from around our Ochsner campus, and eventually the system to help out in our unit. Our ICU nurses rose to the occasion, as we took care of the sickest patients I have ever seen in my nursing career. The nurses worked ED for days in a row to provide the critical care these patients needed at the peak of their disease process while wearing full isolation garb, including painful and hot respirator masks for hours on end.
It has taken a while to clear my mind and really focus on one nurse. There are so many moments from the pandemic that stand out. Many courageous nurses have stepped up during that horrific time, and so many did extraordinary actions but one continually came forth. She did so with calm, quiet assurance, professionalism, and a positive attitude. Mitzi Hoover has been a critical care nurse her entire career. As she told me recently, she still loves what she does - it's apparent in every patient that she cared for. During the pandemic, I have so many memories of Mitzi in full isolation garb hanging new/changing IV drips, going into the patient rooms to offer patient care of all kinds, helping other nurses with the COVID patients. As our ICU team quickly became overwhelmed, we were sent deployed nurses who had been recruited from around our campus and other facilities. As Mitzi took care of a full team of critical COVID patients, she managed to precept many nurses who were scared, but willing to step up and help out in any way they could. She never said no to the challenges she was faced with, only "what do you need me to do?" She helped those deployed nurses feel appreciated and be productive in the time when it was all hands on deck.
Mitzi continues to put our ICU patients first, and include their families in her compassionate care. Even after discharge, patients, as well as their families, have reached out to her to express their gratitude for her great care while assigned to them. She is regularly recognized by her peers for her willingness to always help during times of need. Mitzi helps out the ICU when staffing needs arise by picking up extra shifts, or covering shifts if coworkers have a need to change their schedule. She is a wonderful mentor to the nurses on our unit and a shining example of what a nurse should be like.