Tonight there was a potentially unstable patient in ultrasound. Cindy Brooks was at the end of her shift in the MR/Radiology Nursing area but noticed that we were transferring the patient to CT. I believe she stayed an extra half hour after just in case we might need her help, and indeed we did. The child's IV access was lost right before starting the CT injection, and his IV access is very poor, very poor veins. We knew if we needed to wait for the IV access team, it would delay his CT. We shot-in-the-dark called over to Cindy's area to see if she was still there, even though it was already half an hour after the end of her shift, and sure enough there she was.
She didn't even hesitate to come over. When she did, she was a picture of calm and composure. She placed a phenomenal IV with only needing 2 tries, in less than 15 minutes, on a child with impossible veins, and it was a type of IV not only appropriate for the CT angiogram (which requires larger size IV) but would also be good for drawing labs and thus save this child's veins some extra pokes.
We were anxious to perform the CT right away after obtaining access, so rather than taking several more minutes to place a permanent dressing, Cindy went ahead and secured it well but temporarily, then waited patiently for us to spend another 10-15 minutes scanning the patient before finally placing the more permanent dressing on the child's arm. She waited for the patient to leave the area for the floor, then finally with a smile left for home. This was over 1.5 hours after her shift had ended.
Cindy, you're amazing, and I hear that this is one of only many stories of your dedication and love for your work and your patients. We are lucky to have you.