2011 Nursing Annual Report - FINAL.pub - South Shore Hospital

Exemplary Professional PracticeNovember 4, 2011“I would like to share a story with you about one of South Shore’s Emergency Room nurses. I was a firstyear student at Quincy College doing my medical‐surgical rotation at South Shore Hospital when I wasfloated down to the ED and asked to shadow Kellie (Ugarte) Simpson for the day. It was fairly busy fromthe start and only got busier. Throughout the morning Kellie, in her very cheerful manner, explained howshe goes about her day. I watched her admit new patients, soothe patients who had been there for awhile, answer family members’ questions and get reports from ambulance drivers. Kellie did this with awarm, cheerful, professional manner — I was so impressed with her from the start! But as the day wenton, it got busier and busier. Kellie asked me to admit patients, do vital signs and answer any questions Icould, as she went about the more serious business of administering medications, giving updates to thedoctors and handling the critical care patients.The ED got busier and busier, but throughout the day Kellie still managed to answer all of my questions,explain the procedures and protocols that she was attending to, show me her documentation and computerresponsibilities, and show me around the department. She did all of this in a cheerful and professionalmanner. When it was time for my shift to end, I told my clinical professor, Kay Higdon, “I have tostay, there are 5 trucks waiting to unload. I can’t leave, Kellie needs me here!” She realized I meant what Isaid and allowed me to stay on. There are a few times in life when someone has such a profound effecton you that you shape your future based on what you just learned from that person. Kellie had such aneffect on me!I went home after my day with her and looked up all of the area hospital web‐sites until I found a positionas a nursing assistant in the ED that was available. I was hired immediately and I still work there. Recently,as a second year nursing student, I floated down to the Pediatric Emergency room and much to my luckand surprise Kellie had also been floated there for the day. I was so excited to have the opportunity tospend the day alongside her again! She once again shared all of her expertise and knowledge about emergencymedicine, she answered all of my questions and she did all of this in a warm and professional manner.I admire her for her excellent nursing skills and knowledge, her warm and caring patient care skillsand her wonderful demeanor on the job. Kellie is someone who I look up to and aspire to be like when Ibegin my nursing career. I am truly grateful for all that she has taught me in the two days I have spentwith her in the ED.”Sincerely,Leigh McLaughlin, Nursing Student14