Eyes and Ears
Patricia Abboud, MD, a pediatric intensivist at Dayton Children’s Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio, says she can’t isolate just one story about nurses because the ones she works with are all wonderful. She writes:
I am very grateful for ALL the Pediatric ICU nurses I work with. Their level of skill, professionalism, empathy and compassion is exceptional. I rely on their assessments HEAVILY to manage the most critically ill patients in our hospital. In our institution we don’t have in-house attending 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That said, I rely on the nurses’ assessments and interpretations of the patients when I am not able to be at the bedside. I often refer to them as my “eyes and ears.” They know that they can call on me any time of day if there is a concern they wish to address. I feel I have a unique perspective into their knowledge and skills, given that I am a former nurse. I began my career in healthcare as a Critical Care nurse before pursuing a career in medicine.
They are a very confident and outspoken group, and true patient advocates. We may “nationally” honor our nurses one week a year, but I am thankful every day of the year for such a spectacular group of professionals. They make my call easier and I know my patients are receiving the best care Dayton Children’s can offer. Kudos to the PICU nurses of Dayton Children’s!!!
Next: “Tragedy was averted thanks to my invaluable nurses…” –>
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RN
Registered Nurse
I have, for years, been of the opinion that wannabe doctors should be REQUIRED to get their 1st degree in NURSING and work for a minimum of 5 years as an RN AT THE BEDSIDE before they are allowed to apply to medical school. This, I believe would give the future MD a whole different perspective on the role that nurses play.
Also comes with a serious dose of humility…
AMEN to that!! So, so many doctors forget that without the nurses, they couldn’t do THEIR jobs and, as someone else pointed out up there, just how many times a doctor’s career will be saved by a nurse!!