January 2020
Sarah
Cushman
,
BS, RN, RNC-MNN
Bethesda North Hospital Mother-Baby Unit
Bethesda North Hospital
Cincinnati
,
OH
United States

 

 

 

Sarah has a wonderful personality, one of quick wit and humor. She tends to bond with her patients over her jokes! She makes her patients feel cared for and they trust her. She is constantly in her patients' rooms during her shift; she is always busily at work and truly comes to work to care for those she serves.
One night, Sarah was acting as the relief charge for our unit. She had previously taken care of this mother, who now was a Bethesda Inn patient, so she was still "staying" in a patient room on our floor as her baby was in SCN. Prior to Sarah coming on shift, the mother was discharged as a patient. Sarah had developed a rapport with the mother and the father of the baby. The father of the baby went home to get some belongings and when he came back, he felt like the mother of the baby did not look well. He noticed Sarah in the hallway, so he asked her to come in and check her. Because of the relationship she had developed with this couple, I truly believed she saved this young mother's life.
She acted quickly as she listened to the couple. The father of the baby was adamant that something was not right with his significant other. She quickly called the residents, called me, and the patient was transported to Labor and Delivery Triage. The patient was deteriorating quickly and eventually sent to the ICU, where she was intubated the next morning. The patient had thrown a clot to her lungs.
The next night, Sarah was back. She went downstairs to the ICU to check on this patient and her significant other. When he saw her, his eyes welled up with tears. You see, the rapport that she developed with this patient broke down those stereotypical barriers. Her previous actions, in the nights leading up to this incident, paved the way for this mother. Often, we are rushed, brush our patients off because we are simply too busy, the load too heavy. Sarah took her time with this couple. She listened to their needs when she was the primary RN at the bedside.
Sarah comes to work every shift, leaving her family behind, to care for those patients she serves. She does it with a smile on her face, laughter in her soul, and she truly touches the lives of the patients she cares for. I am proud to say that she is a team member on the night shift and our MBU. She is an exceptional nurse and deserves to be recognized for truly saving this mother's life.
***
Sarah was our night nurse both nights for our first baby. From the minute we were wheeled into our room, she made us feel so comfortable and cared for. I had been induced Sunday night and ended up with a C-section Tuesday night, so by the time we got to our room, we were beyond exhausted! Sarah took over and made sure we were comfortable and that we got great rest. During our stay, she took exceptional care of my baby and me. Not to mention all the help breast-feeding and laughs at 2 am! She is incredible at what does and goes above and beyond.