Tara Mudrak
August 2023
Tara
Mudrak
,
RN
Pediatric Emergency Department
Baptist Medical Center South (FL)
Jacksonville
,
FL
United States
I've seen her dance with toddlers and sing songs with teenagers. I've seen her hug parents who needed a little love and comfort. Tara brings joy every shift she comes in.
Tara has been a blessing since her arrival here to our little ER. Her personality sparkles both with the patients and families as well as the ER team. She is always taking that extra step to make sure the kids are comfortable. I've seen her dance with toddlers and sing songs with teenagers. I've seen her hug parents who needed a little love and comfort. Tara brings joy every shift she comes in. Tara has also volunteered to go help the Adult ED when they have been busy. She is an incredible team player, and we are so incredibly lucky to have her.
***
Tara is an outstanding nurse. She is an overachiever at baseline when it comes to patient care. This week one of her many acts of selflessness was witnessed yet again. On a very busy day in the ED, Tara had a more than difficult parent she was doing her best to work with and provide their child with appropriate care. The mom was very upset that she was hungry, and we did not have sufficient meals available on the unit. Mom did not want to leave to get her a meal. Tara attempted to call dietary more than once but was unable to get through. The unit was too busy to be able to send anyone to the dietary. Tara then offered her personal dinner she brought from home to the mom, who accepted and was extremely appreciative. Keep in mind Tara had worked the night before during the active shooter event and was still in shock herself, trying to make it through a shift right after that experience. She didn't hesitate, yet again, to put her patients first.
***
Tara is one of the nurses that was working the peds ED the night of the active shooter event. Tara has always proven to be a kind and compassionate nurse. She starts every shift with a smile and never complains. This night, when chaos and fear could have easily taken over, Tara kept calm. She did not miss a beat with her patient care and safety. In fact, Tara did not herself take cover and hide, although she should have. We had multiple high acuity patients on the unit at the time. Tara remained at the nurse’s station. She helped get families to safe places and continued to provide patient care. I can only imagine the fear of the situation. I could not be prouder to be her friend and colleague. Once the safety threat was clear, Tara did not immediately leave. She ended up staying even later than her scheduled shift to help the unit recover and settle.
***
Tara is an outstanding nurse. She is an overachiever at baseline when it comes to patient care. This week one of her many acts of selflessness was witnessed yet again. On a very busy day in the ED, Tara had a more than difficult parent she was doing her best to work with and provide their child with appropriate care. The mom was very upset that she was hungry, and we did not have sufficient meals available on the unit. Mom did not want to leave to get her a meal. Tara attempted to call dietary more than once but was unable to get through. The unit was too busy to be able to send anyone to the dietary. Tara then offered her personal dinner she brought from home to the mom, who accepted and was extremely appreciative. Keep in mind Tara had worked the night before during the active shooter event and was still in shock herself, trying to make it through a shift right after that experience. She didn't hesitate, yet again, to put her patients first.
***
Tara is one of the nurses that was working the peds ED the night of the active shooter event. Tara has always proven to be a kind and compassionate nurse. She starts every shift with a smile and never complains. This night, when chaos and fear could have easily taken over, Tara kept calm. She did not miss a beat with her patient care and safety. In fact, Tara did not herself take cover and hide, although she should have. We had multiple high acuity patients on the unit at the time. Tara remained at the nurse’s station. She helped get families to safe places and continued to provide patient care. I can only imagine the fear of the situation. I could not be prouder to be her friend and colleague. Once the safety threat was clear, Tara did not immediately leave. She ended up staying even later than her scheduled shift to help the unit recover and settle.