January 2023
Nurse Leadership Team
Emergency Department
Ascension Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center
Chicago
,
IL
United States
Jessica Ahn, BSN, RN, AA-SANE
Jacadi Rivera, BSN, RN
Kaysie Palos, BSN, RN, VA-BC
Amanda Cox, BSN, RN, AA-SANE
Jacadi Rivera, BSN, RN
Kaysie Palos, BSN, RN, VA-BC
Amanda Cox, BSN, RN, AA-SANE
This award should truly be given to nurses of the Emergency Room because without this team, no department would exist.
A little over 5 months ago, the department had multiple leadership resignations in addition to working short staffed, especially overnights, for several months. Despite the hardships, multiple nurses stepped up to the plate this year, not only to encourage professional growth, but to take on tasks to keep our department afloat. Jessica Ahn has also been with us for 5 years. She, too, is a charge nurse, preceptor, conducts all interviews for ED candidates, and facilitates the charge nurse meetings. Jessica is a kind and honest person who stands up for what’s right. While caring for an individual in the ED, she went above and beyond providing social services to a patient in need. She knows when to step in and give staff pep talks, especially when they have experienced an uncomfortable situation. Jacadi Rivera started as a PCT in the ED while in school to become a nurse. In 2020, she graduated from nursing school and has been working here ever since. Jackie has grown professionally and assisted the department by doing the schedule for all ancillary staff, doing the moderate sedation audits, has precepted, and recently became charge nurse. She is a true model for new graduate nurses and we are honored to have her work with us. Kaysie Palos has been working in the ED for many years. She has continuously stepped up to the plate to support her team by doing the schedule, assisting with US guided IV training, and working for the vascular access team in between. One night, though, I was not there, 7 children who had been neglected were brought to the ED. She quickly came up with how they were going to manage all these young children. They opened up POD 3 and made sure the department was providing trauma-informed care to them. Kaysie does not waiver, she is decisive and pragmatic. I am grateful to have worked with her for so many years. Amanda Cox has been in the ED for over 5 years. She is a charge nurse, mentor for many, is a SANE nurse, does the day shift schedule, NDNQI, and sepsis audits, but above all provides genuine care for the patients and the staff she encounters. While caring for a patient who came in for an assault, Resilience had been called to provide emotional support. This was the first assault that the Resilience associate had been called to and did not feel yet prepared to fully provide the support for the patient. Amanda took her time explaining the process to the patient and the Resilience associate while providing trauma informed care. This award should truly be given to nurses of the Emergency Room because without this team, no department would exist.