Earlier in the year, a challenging behavioral patient came into our system. He was an older teenage patient, who was challenging every day. He required a lot of care, required a lot mentally out of his nurses, and would CODE Bert multiple times a day. After a length of stay over 20 days for this patient, one nurse kept getting assigned to this patient over, and over and over again. Instead of dreading it, instead of complaining about it, she tackled this patient head on.

One day while taking care of the patient, she noticed his care plan was not up to date in alignment with what the BMH team was saying. She notified every member of the care team, that his coping plan was not in alignment with what he was currently experiencing. She worked with the care team to redevelop his coping plan. During his periods of escalation, this nurse would take the time to try to meet him on his level to help him with his care, and help him understand during his periods of delirium/psychosis. This nurse soon became a champion nurse of this patient, explaining his needs/mannerisms/etc. to anyone who would listen.

When this patient was being transitioned from the ED to the floor, she offered to go up with the patient and educate the inpatient team on everything she had experienced with this patient. She also helped transition this patient to the floor and offered to come in even if it was an off day. This nurse is not a BMH nurse, she is an ED nurse, but she goes above and beyond for these patients every day. She takes the time to listen to them, and make sure they are engaged in their ADLs and care; she often spearheads difficult tasks like helping coordinate showers for the patients, which seems like an easy task but often is not. I want this nurse to be recognized for the continuity of care she provides patients, the love and care she provides to them, and never treats them as less than extraordinary. She embodies the values of a Children's nurse.