ICU/CVU is a difficult unit to work in and many nurses come and go but those who remain feel like a mini family. Dennis is a very knowledgeable and strong cardiac nurse and tends to like the "sickest patients" and he advocates for them like a barracuda.

A few weeks ago he cared for a fellow nurse's husband after cardiac surgery and true to Dennis fashion, analyzed that Swan-ganz and identified issues before they became bigger issues. The patient was taken back to surgery and the tamponade was corrected and the patient is at home recovering (Thank God). I think the entire unit is especially grateful to Dennis for this "win". It is added pressure caring for your peer's loved ones and Dennis as we say, "handled it" (mic drop).

Aside from this particular story, Dennis is a strong resource for the night shift nurses (and even some interns). And noteworthy - the unit just had gotten the newer equipment and Dennis is such a techy gadget guy that other nurses may have questioned the #s or even their own proficiency but not Dennis! I would be so happy to see Dennis be acknowledged and honored.