Kathryn Stults is the charge nurse in the ER who is always going above and beyond not only for her staff, but for all patients that enter the department. During a busy day, towards the end of her 12 hour shift, one of her coworkers began to have the worst headache of her life. Katie was quick to step in and get her seen by the physician. This patient ended up having a hemorrhagic stroke and required immediate critical care transport to Vanderbilt. EMS had an available truck and crew to take her, but due to the high acuity and medication drips, they could not transport her without a nurse riding along. Instead of waiting for Vanderbilt to send their critical care ambulance, Katie stepped up and volunteered to ride with EMS so that the patient could arrive at Vanderbilt at the earliest time possible. Because of Katie and her crew this patient is making improvements every day.
After working her 12 hour shift, she continued to care for this patient the whole 2 hr EMS ride, handed a report to the Vanderbilt neurosurgeon team and then made the 2 hr return trip, where she documented the care before finally going home for the day. This speaks volumes of Katie’s true dedication to her patients and the care she provides day in and day out.