Linda is an excellent nurse! She has a wealth of knowledge in so many areas of pediatric nursing because of her many years as a home care nurse specializing in children with complex health care needs; including cancer, cardiology, cystic fibrosis, GI and metabolic disorders, nephrology, neurology, bone marrow transplants and liver/multi organ transplants, but also, she brings humor to almost every situation which puts her young patients, caregivers and even new orientee's at ease! I have personally known Linda for 16 years, and she was my preceptor when I first came to home care.
Linda is able to use humor in her daily routine of patient care; in a very tactful way of course, which is non-threatening, while always maintaining her professionalism. Linda has the ability to immediately walk into any room and lighten the mood with her quick wit and one liners! She always puts our young, nervous patients and anxiety ridden caregivers at ease. Don't get me wrong, Linda is always serious when it comes to providing safe care! She has patient safety always at the forefront of her mind, and is able to pick up on subtle changes very quickly. As a home care field nurse, you never know what you may walk into alone without the safety net of other CCHMC staff at your side to call on, or a crash cart! Linda can and does spring into emergent action quickly when there is need for alarm. She can be firm and direct when faced with life threatening events, ready to take charge and take action when needed.
Prior to Linda joining CCHMC, she was a labor and delivery nurse. She has carried that experience with her in caring for new mothers and infants in home care. On one occasion several years ago, Linda was making a home care visit to a newborn's home with a new nurse orientee. The baby's father asked if the nurses would go upstairs and check on the mother as he thought she may have had a seizure. Linda found the young mother unresponsive, not breathing and without a pulse. She quickly instructed the husband to call 911, and the orientee to help assist moving the woman to the floor so they could begin CPR together.
Just recently, Linda was visiting a home care patient where the mother was not feeling well and kept going to the restroom. There were several young children in this home, and an uncle was staying with the family until the father could return from overseas. Linda reported that the woman was extremely pale with very dark circles around her eyes. She appeared weak. She was about 28-30 weeks pregnant. Linda was concerned and asked about her health. The woman reported that she was not sure what was happening, but she was passing blood with large sized clots. Linda stressed to her that she needed to urgently get to the hospital. The mother refused. Linda kept trying her best to convince the mother to go to the hospital, for fear that not only was the infant's life in danger, but her life also was in grave danger. The mother kept refusing, saying she needed to speak with her husband first, and would not leave their "sick child" (the one Linda was there to see) without one of the parents present at home. Linda kept insisting however, and made it clear to this mother that if she did not seek medical attention soon that there was a possibility that none of her children would have a mother! Linda reported that she was not trying to be mean or forceful, but firm as she feared for the life of this mother and young infant if she did not get to the hospital soon. The mother went to the hospital the next day, and delivered her baby within a day or two later. Linda may have saved two lives in her persistence. It was Linda's prior L&D experience that made her more aware of what was happening. Perhaps, Linda was at the right place at the right time.
These two examples really exemplify what a well-rounded and experienced nurse Linda Godsey actually is. Not only is she an expert in her field with pediatric patients, she is also in-tuned to others within the home environment at all times. By doing so she is able to provide safe care for the patients we serve in home care and their family. I have always admired that about Linda. She has the ability to take in the "whole picture" of what is happening within the home and the family dynamics. She is often very easy going, and quite likable by many children and families we serve! She always goes the extra mile for all of her patients.