Ashley is one of a select group of RNs on this unit that volunteered to be cross-trained to care for Pediatric patients on a new 2 bed pediatric unit on our adult medical floor. Ashley went through Peds orientation at Riley and here at West and obtained her PALS. The cross-trained nurses at West have patient assignments that are adult and pediatric mixed. Ashley is growing her pediatric experience and seems to love it! She easily establishes trusting relationships with her kids and their parents as well as the Peds hospitalists.
On Monday Ashley was caring for a boy from Turkey. His family had been flying home from the US and had an emergency landing in Indianapolis for respiratory problems in their young son. The family was left here with no luggage and they did not speak English. The patient was being discharged this day and Ashley, along with the Case Manager, worked with the parents and the interpreter to arrange discharge and transportation. Plan A involving a family friend fell through, Plan B, Plan C, and Plan D did not work out either.
At the end of Ashley's shift, she agreed to drive the family to their hotel in her private car. It ended up probably being the best plan because Ashley and the family had a trusting relationship built and having her be the one to drive them hopefully put them at ease after a day of failed plans. I think Ashley demonstrates compassion above and beyond what is normally expected with this patient and others, we are very proud of her transition to this new kind of nursing!