Laurie Decker
July 2019
Laurie
Decker
,
BSN, RN
Emergency Room
CHI St. Joseph Health Burleson Hospital
Bryan
,
TX
United States

 

 

 

When one thinks of a nurse there are so many different words that come to mind: compassion, caring, knowledgeable, professional, healer, and the list goes on. As a nurse, one of the most important and necessary attributes is patient advocacy. Laurie is an example of this attribute.
Several months ago, a patient was unaware that she was pregnant and experiencing pre-eclampsia. The physician at the time was looking at discharging the patient home. Because of Laurie's experience and knowledge, she recognized the crisis of this patient's condition and advocated on the patient's behalf; a true example of being a voice for our patients. By advocating for this patient, the patient was transferred to a higher level of care and immediately underwent an emergency C-section to deliver a 28-week-old baby. She truly was a voice for her patient.