We were in the ER on Saturday. It was a typical crazy Saturday night with grumbling, hungry, testy patients in the waiting room. All of the ER staff were incredibly patient, with good attitudes and willingness to work very quickly to take care of patients. Laura was taking charge of the room, rolling her computer and checking on people. When someone in the waiting room complained that there should be a board like in airports showing what time people were coming next, she patiently took time to explain something she must have said 100 times to other people about HIPAA violation and how people are seen by acuity. There is a sign in the waiting room saying this but people don't get it.

Laura kept her cool the whole time. The most challenging part came when the waiting room got to standing room only and she had to kick out all the family members. The sad part about humanity was that she had to bring a Constable with her to keep order. She went and spoke clearly to the entire waiting room, updating them with wait times and telling family members to wait in their cars and give the front desk their phone numbers. I cannot imagine the pressure that she and all the ER doctors, nurses, techs, front desk are under all the time. Patients are constantly disgruntled day in and day out at one of the nation's busiest emergency rooms. I would hate to be the one calling patients in the waiting room to come get imaging because you get bombarded every time with multiple requests. But each and every one of them (especially Laura) took the time to explain to each and every patient the reasons why things are the way they are.

I was impressed particularly with the poise with which Laura and others handled the extreme pressure. With humility and a dose of humor, she keeps plowing through the shifts and doing what needs to be done each and every shift. So though all the ER nurses deserve an award, Laura stands above in our mind.