I have always enjoyed working with Birgit. She brings a bright energy to the unit and creates a fun environment to work in. Not only is she fun to work with, but Birgit has been an important team player to the PICU. Our unit has been dealing with a high census of patients since August. Our patient volume and acuity have been higher, and we have been experiencing more patient deaths than normal. Birgit goes above and beyond to care for her patients and help her co-workers. During these busy times, she has been consistently picking up extra shifts, even though I know she is tired and burned out. When she is at work, she gives 100% to her patients. I have seen her caring for a family who has just lost their child, she takes extra time with memory-making for the family and provides comfort without judgment. This shows a great deal of compassion, excellent care, and dignity toward her patients and their families.

She communicates effectively and timely with the entire care team to ensure her patients are getting the care they need. She also takes extra time to coordinate with therapies (OT, PT, and Speech) on when it is appropriate for therapies to see her patients. Birgit has also helped the unit by being a preceptor for new PICU nurses and step-down PICU nurses. She demonstrates best practices to other nurses on suction ETT, managing high-flow nasal cannula, and communicating critical lab values to the intensivist.

Birgit also does a great job explaining cares to families. For example, if the intensivist orders a blood draw she will explain to the family what she is doing and why the provider is ordering the tests. I believe this helps the family feel more comfortable during a stressful time.