Where to begin... the day my son was born. We knew before birth we would be spending time in the hospital. We didn't know anything else. From the moment he was born, the team took exceptional care of him, explaining each thing they were doing, why they were doing it, how it helped him, and what outcomes could imply. They comforted us when there were uncertain times. They told us what to expect after surgery. They taught us so much, from how to care for him at home, what each med is used for, how to know if there is an issue, and so much more. They took phenomenal care of our son, and they also cared for us. They made sure we had rest so we could make decisions. They made sure we had food. They made sure we could draw up the meds at home, feed him properly, and so much more. The nurses in the PCICU are caring and compassionate. They love my son like he is their own. They light up when they see him, either in the hospital or just walking the halls. They show kindness and caring with each thing they do. They always ask how they can help me. They have all taken care of my son and myself. We don't like to be admitted, but when we are admitted, we know we will be well loved and cared for. They take care of us like family.

We call it Hotel St. Joe; it has 1-star accommodations but 100-star service and care. We know that when we have to go to the hospital, we go to the PCICU at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. The IV team is there when we need them. While we've had lots of admissions, which means lots of IVs needed, the IV team makes it a little less stressful. They quickly get the IV in and make the whole process less painful. They work together to make it quick and as painless as possible. Their skill is exceptional in how they can do the IV without making it traumatic for the child. Over the years, they have had to poke many times, and we have gotten to know them well. They get excited to see him, and they help ease his anxiety. The IV team is the reason we can make it through our stay with fewer pokes and no infections. They make sure the unit also knows the precautions for each child's individual care.

***

I am a physician assistant who works in the Pediatric Cardiac ICU. I am hoping to recognize the team working with me on this particular night. Their actions deserve more than a high five, something more like a DAISY Team Award. 

To begin, we had a patient who was in the unit that many knew from birth. He was raised by his grandparents. Over many months, the staff and physician group got to know the grandpa very well, and he was a joy to have around. Unfortunately, the patient had surgery, and it did not go as planned. The decision was made to let the grandpa be with him for the end of his life. 

Meanwhile, that same night, a baby was born in the NICU and brought over to our unit for further care. 
 
The nurses were able to perform end-of-life care with ease, all the meanwhile having every code medication and sedation medication drawn up and labeled. 
When I tell you I was in awe of their hard work and precision, let me repeat, I was in awe. They communicated effectively with one another and worked efficiently to have the room set up. 

There are often times that we are given far more time to prepare for ECMO and we still have things to set up when the patient arrives, but not in this instance, this was the smoothest I’ve seen since I've worked here. 

I often see videos of nurses crying on social media about how they do not have time to grieve, and I feel like this situation is one of them. 

This staff was resilient and put their patients' needs first before their own. Again, this shift could have been one of my worst, but the staff made it one of the best.