Kennedy Solite
September 2013
Kennedy
Solite
,
BSN
CVCU
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton
Denton
,
TX
United States
Sometimes nurses have to be prepared for the unexpected, and it isn't always in the hospital. A cardiovascular care unit nurse, Kennedy Solite at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton for the last three years, found that out earlier this week in a checkout line in Lewisville. While he was at K&G Men's Warehouse purchasing two new suits, M H, the cashier, collapsed and hit her head. The THDN nurse quickly jumped to action.
"When I saw what happened, I was shocked, but I knew I had to remain calm," Kennedy said. "I checked for a pulse, and she didn't have one."
He immediately instructed the store manager to call 911, sent people outside to wait for the paramedics and began performing CPR. "My mom's manager told me how Kennedy took control of the situation," said J R, H's son. "He wasn't panicked, and he knew what he needed to do."
Kennedy performed five rounds of CPR before M H regained consciousness. Another bystander, Mayra Rodriguez, a certified nursing assistant, also helped him in the process. "I really didn't think about it or see another option," he said. "It was really just second nature as soon as I saw what happened."
J R expressed how much he appreciated what Kennedy and Rodriguez did. "They didn't have to do anything, but they were ready," he said. "It is a huge blessing that they were both there at the same time."
M H is now waiting for tests to determine the cause of her collapse, but the family has a positive outlook on her improvement. CPR began in the 1960s and saves 92,000 lives annually in the United States. Unfortunately, according to the American Heart Association, 70 percent of Americans don't know CPR. "People don't have to be doctors or nurses to learn CPR," Kennedy said. "Everyone else in the store was shocked and didn't know how to respond. In a situation like that, reaction time is really important, so being prepared is essential."
J R also said that his mom doesn't usually work that late, and she could have easily been at home alone.
"I told Kennedy and Mayra that they are part of our family now," J R said. "They saved my mother's life, and I am forever grateful."
"When I saw what happened, I was shocked, but I knew I had to remain calm," Kennedy said. "I checked for a pulse, and she didn't have one."
He immediately instructed the store manager to call 911, sent people outside to wait for the paramedics and began performing CPR. "My mom's manager told me how Kennedy took control of the situation," said J R, H's son. "He wasn't panicked, and he knew what he needed to do."
Kennedy performed five rounds of CPR before M H regained consciousness. Another bystander, Mayra Rodriguez, a certified nursing assistant, also helped him in the process. "I really didn't think about it or see another option," he said. "It was really just second nature as soon as I saw what happened."
J R expressed how much he appreciated what Kennedy and Rodriguez did. "They didn't have to do anything, but they were ready," he said. "It is a huge blessing that they were both there at the same time."
M H is now waiting for tests to determine the cause of her collapse, but the family has a positive outlook on her improvement. CPR began in the 1960s and saves 92,000 lives annually in the United States. Unfortunately, according to the American Heart Association, 70 percent of Americans don't know CPR. "People don't have to be doctors or nurses to learn CPR," Kennedy said. "Everyone else in the store was shocked and didn't know how to respond. In a situation like that, reaction time is really important, so being prepared is essential."
J R also said that his mom doesn't usually work that late, and she could have easily been at home alone.
"I told Kennedy and Mayra that they are part of our family now," J R said. "They saved my mother's life, and I am forever grateful."