Elise was the charge nurse on 4 Pickens. During the night shift, I heard an RRT called in the staff breakroom. Responding to the overhead page, I entered the breakroom to find an employee surrounded by members of the nursing team (RNs & PCTs) with Elise in the leadership role. With no immediate response from RRT, Elise led the troops to get the employee's vitals, blood sugar, making sure that all safety measures were in place as she continued to seize.

When a point of safety arrived, Elise had multiple members of the team “load” the employee on the stretcher, pad the rails, and transported the employee to the ED. Elise escorted the employee to the ED but her leadership and commitment did not stop there. Elise contacted me to get the employee’s date of birth, and address and asked for her emergency contact which the employee had not provided on her profile. Elise called me to let me know that the employee was now a patient and that she did not feel comfortable leaving her alone.

At some point, the patient provided Elise with her sister’s name and phone number. Elise was able to speak with the sister, who said that she would come as soon as she had time. Hours passed as Elise continued to be there for the patient, watching her seize and verbalizing her concerns about what was happening. Elise stayed with the patient, ensuring that she was safe, and felt cared for until her sister arrived. Elise demonstrated the utmost leadership, care, and compassion for the employee who became a patient. Thank you.