I was in overflow, and Justin House was on an assignment. A patient came in, in respiratory distress. This was 15 minutes before the end of both his and my shift. Justin took charge. He threw a line in, told me what he needed, and told another nurse what to chart. Advised the doctor what labs he should obtain, helped the respiratory team put a BiPAP on, and basically ran the entire acute-unassessed. This patient was not stable and was on the verge of coding. Justin advised the PCTs to get the airway chart and code chart, and he and I both stayed at the bedside. Justin, during all of this, took the time to use it as a teaching moment, discussing why the patient was breathing as such, heart profusion, as well as running down what could possibly be going on. Justin thought as a critical care nurse, planning ahead and being ready for anything. Again, staying at the bedside with me, until we both knew the patient was stable and we were able to give hand off to the next nurses taking over. He displayed leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, compassion, and care.