From the moment I began working at Levine Children’s Hospital on the 10th floor, Keirsten Long, ADN, CPN, has been an absolute joy to work with and an invaluable asset to our team and the hospital as a whole. As a more experienced nurse, she has been an incredible resource, offering guidance, support, and knowledge without hesitation. Whether she is working as the charge nurse or a fellow staff nurse, Keirsten consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that every child receives the best possible care.

Keirsten’s willingness to help extends far beyond her own patients. She never hesitates to lend a hand, take a second look at a concerning assessment, or advocate fiercely for a child in need. In pediatrics, we know how quickly a child’s condition can deteriorate, making attention to detail and early intervention critical. Keirsten has an incredible ability to recognize subtle changes, almost as if she has a special radar for when a child is heading south. More importantly, she acts on those instincts with confidence, reaching out to providers and ensuring that urgent interventions are put into place.

Her advocacy skills are unmatched. She is never afraid to push for what her patients need, whether it’s requesting new labs, medications, or, in my patient’s case, urgent imaging. The level of trust providers have in her clinical judgment speaks volumes about her expertise and commitment to patient care. When Keirsten calls, they listen, because they know she is advocating for the well-being of her patients.

Personally, I had the privilege of witnessing Keirsten’s dedication firsthand this past year. In November, I admitted a patient from PACU following a shunt procedure. After my initial assessment, I felt uneasy about his condition. He was unresponsive to touch, voice, and pain; his pupils were nonreactive, and he had bradycardia with an irregular rhythm. I immediately sought out Keirsten to verify my concerns, knowing her experience would be invaluable. Without hesitation, she sprang into action, contacting the doctors and requesting an urgent CT scan, even though the typical protocol would have delayed imaging until the following morning.

Because of Keirsten’s quick thinking and advocacy, the CT scan was performed sooner, revealing that the shunt catheter was misplaced, leading to increased intracranial pressure. The patient was rushed back to the OR for corrective surgery, a decision that quite possibly saved his life. Keirsten’s leadership, support, and unwavering dedication to patient care in that moment reaffirmed everything I strive to be as a nurse. This is just one example of the countless ways Keirsten demonstrates excellence in nursing every single day.

She brings knowledge, compassion, and determination to every shift, and her commitment to her patients and colleagues makes our unit stronger. I am proud to call her a teammate, and I aspire to be the kind of nurse she is - one who leads with skill, heart, and a relentless drive to do what is best for every child in our care.