Dorothy Vergel
October 2021
Dorothy
Vergel
,
RN, BSN, TNCC
Intensive Care Unit
Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center
Sacramento
,
CA
United States
Others would have just focused on their own department, but Dorothy saw the need of the entire hospital and ensured everyone was supported, making a difficult situation more bearable.
“When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.” — John F. Kennedy, 35th U.S. president.
During high census, staffing shortages, and high acuity of patients across the hospital there is one person who seized the moment as an opportunity to show her stability, resilience, and leadership skills supporting not just her own team but the rest of the teams in the hospital. Working weekends can be challenging for multiple reasons. We are talking about the availability of staff as well as a shortage of supplies and support departments that can expedite processes.
One weekend in August was by far the busiest and most critical weekend in this fourth surge of the pandemic not just for nursing but also for Respiratory Therapy. Our nurse leader took it upon herself to take the lead and help facilitate and triage treatment plans for the patients. She reached out to her peers and stated if they have concerns or questions to call her. She offered to do EKGs or call physicians to change ABG orders to VBG. She checked on 5th floor RIHC to provide support to her and the 5th floor team. She searched and located ventilators to ensure that our ICU unit had one available in the event of code. She did this knowing that RT did not have the capacity to do it that day. She managed to help others despite the business in the ICU.
We would like to recognize her leadership during this difficult time and commend her for her diligence. When multiple Covid patients were coding at the same time, Dorothy mobilized resources based on where they were needed the most. She became the cheerleader for the team to remain calm and do what is best for the whole team. Others would have just focused on their own department, but Dorothy saw the need of the entire hospital and ensured everyone was supported, making a difficult situation more bearable.
In her 4 years as an ICU nurse leader, we have all seen Dorothy’s mature approach to difficult situations as well as the distinct qualities that make her an excellent leader; not only in times of comfort but also in times of crisis. It is this kind of compassionate and dedicated care that makes Dorothy a true DAISY Nurse Leader.
During high census, staffing shortages, and high acuity of patients across the hospital there is one person who seized the moment as an opportunity to show her stability, resilience, and leadership skills supporting not just her own team but the rest of the teams in the hospital. Working weekends can be challenging for multiple reasons. We are talking about the availability of staff as well as a shortage of supplies and support departments that can expedite processes.
One weekend in August was by far the busiest and most critical weekend in this fourth surge of the pandemic not just for nursing but also for Respiratory Therapy. Our nurse leader took it upon herself to take the lead and help facilitate and triage treatment plans for the patients. She reached out to her peers and stated if they have concerns or questions to call her. She offered to do EKGs or call physicians to change ABG orders to VBG. She checked on 5th floor RIHC to provide support to her and the 5th floor team. She searched and located ventilators to ensure that our ICU unit had one available in the event of code. She did this knowing that RT did not have the capacity to do it that day. She managed to help others despite the business in the ICU.
We would like to recognize her leadership during this difficult time and commend her for her diligence. When multiple Covid patients were coding at the same time, Dorothy mobilized resources based on where they were needed the most. She became the cheerleader for the team to remain calm and do what is best for the whole team. Others would have just focused on their own department, but Dorothy saw the need of the entire hospital and ensured everyone was supported, making a difficult situation more bearable.
In her 4 years as an ICU nurse leader, we have all seen Dorothy’s mature approach to difficult situations as well as the distinct qualities that make her an excellent leader; not only in times of comfort but also in times of crisis. It is this kind of compassionate and dedicated care that makes Dorothy a true DAISY Nurse Leader.