Deana is an incredible labor nurse, with a skillset that new nurses dream of one day gaining. She also exudes warmth, compassion, confidence, and a great deal of “fierce mama bear”. She can easily gain the trust of the most challenging patients and families. She often reminds me of the mother who can get anyone in line, but makes you feel loved and listened to at the same time. I have never met another Deana.

Recently, Deana came to work and upon meeting her patient, she knew something was wrong. The patient had an elevated heart rate, a low oxygen saturation, a significant cough, and was in severe pain from active labor. Deana immediately went into action and got the patient an epidural to get her comfortable so she could assess the patient without pain. With the patient’s pain controlled, both Deana and the anesthesiologist agreed the situation needed further evaluation. It was at this time that she told Deana she thought she was going to die, but appreciated and felt safer because she was there. Our unit typically brings life into this world, so for those words spoken made us all uncomfortable. Deana collaborated with the OBGYN and the anesthesiologist continuously, reporting the patient’s status and symptoms, which could be explained if the patient has Covid (she had initially refused to test). As the day progressed, the patient agreed to be tested, and was negative. She quickly began to deteriorate, and Deana called both physicians to the bedside to evaluate her condition. The patient was taken for an emergency cesarean section. The tension was palpable in the operating room as the patient was now in critical condition. The OA was actively trying to get her an ICU bed, we had the crash cart at arm’s reach, multiple team members ready with assigned roles for the moment the patient coded, and respiratory was waiting outside the OR with Bipap. The patient and her spouse were terrified, as they knew she was very sick. Deana stayed with the patient at the head of the bed during the surgery.

The bond between the patient and Deana was clearly evident. Deana held her hand throughout most of the case, and never left her side. I cannot remember the exact words Deana spoke to her, but I can tell you that if it was my child on that OR table, I would want Deana to be with her. The patient delivered a beautiful healthy baby and was taken to the ICU where she spent an extended period. Deana went upstairs to check on her every day, even though she was no longer her patient or responsibility. There is no question that Deana saved this patient’s life. Her assessment skills, knowledge and instincts were key to early identification and intervention into this patient’s extremely rare condition.

As a nurse, that is our job, and Deana is exceptional. However, I have never met anyone as unique as Deana. She is warm, funny, outspoken, and loving. She is the nurse you hope to get, and the one you could never forget. The patient publicly stated that her baby, “Gained another nana – we love her so much. She checks on us daily since leaving the hospital and I’ll always owe her for saving us!”