When my kidney transplant patient was admitted to Medical City Children’s Hospital, I was called by the 6D nursing team to evaluate him because he did not appear well.  When I examined him, he appeared very ill, dusky, lethargic, barely responsive and hypotensive.  He was in early septic shock and was becoming hemodynamically unstable.  I immediately instructed Jayla Cabler, RN (primary bedside nurse) and Jennifer Smith, RN (charge nurse), to initiate an immediate PICU transfer, to have the PICU charge nurse and ANP come to the bedside with vasopressors, to begin another IV and to give a stat fluid bolus, to give him supplemental oxygen, to repeat his dose of IV antibiotics, and to place him on the cardiac monitor.  Both Jayla and Jennifer acted decisively and expeditiously in carrying out the above orders, particularly when the stakes were so high and the outcome so crucial.  In turn, my patient was safely ready to be transported to the PICU at a near-record time.  Jayla and Jennifer both deserve recognition and distinction for their keen clinical acumen, lightning response, critical thinking, and collaborative effort on that eventful morning.  In short, they were the consummate professionals. 

What was also especially notable was that the rest of the nursing team all also contributed to the urgent resuscitative effort.  This included such tasks as aiding in the location of a peripheral vein and placement of an IV, procuring and giving IV fluids and medications, charting medications and vital signs, establishing supplemental oxygen and explaining what was happening to the distraught parents.  Every member of the nursing team rose to the occasion and aided in the rapid response to this unexpected and evolving critical event.   In other words, all hands were on deck to handle this emergency.  

What I witnessed on that morning was nothing less than a well-seasoned and experienced nursing team working together seamlessly, at its best.  It was a spectacular display of dedication and professionalism at its finest hour, and I have never been so proud of our pediatric nursing team in 6D.  About 1 month later, my patient recovered and was finally discharged home.  There is no doubt that the quick thinking, clinical expertise, experience, and teamwork of the 6D nursing team contributed greatly to his favorable outcome and recovery.  Every member of the 6D nursing team on that day, in particular, Jayla Cabler, RN and Jennifer Smith, RN, deserves special recognition and commendation for a job superbly well done.  Our pediatric patients deserve nothing less than the best that we can offer.