Kevin Talley has been with us in Vascular Access as a traveler for 6 months. He has precepted many of our newer nurses and shown excellence in his teaching methods.bHe is looked to as a VAS expert and very appreciated for his knowledge and compassion.

One of our nurses was admitted to the Emergency Department with chest pain. Kevin took the call to go to her room and place a line, as she was going to have a CT done. Kevin, being his usual above-and-beyond self, told her to text him if she needed anything else. Several minutes later, Kevin received a text from this nurse simply stating, "Come back." which he did. What he was not expecting was to find our nurse being "coded." With his ED background, Kevin jumped in to help.

After the code team arrived, Kevin stepped out, and he immediately recognized that the husband of this nurse was standing very much alone and obviously overcome with emotion. Kevin stayed with him throughout, and when our colleague was pronounced deceased, he offered his support and comfort not only to her husband but to members of the ED staff who were distraught.

When I arrived to the ED, just after the code ended, I saw Kevin with the husband, taking care of him while he awaited the arrival of his sister. Kevin is always going above and beyond in all ways, but this sign of compassion will stay with me forever. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be a family member in that situation, alone and yet surrounded by the medical team, equipment, etc.

My pride in Kevin, as a VAS nurse, and my admiration of him as a human being, has now exceeded what I ever felt would be possible. Although he has only been with us for the 6 months, he knew our nurse well, but was able to put emotion aside to do something so fantastic.