I am honored to work with so many talented nurses who make a difference in the lives of patients and families every day in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the contributions of one nurse in particular, Maureen Hein, a senior staff nurse in the PICU for 25 years.

As you can imagine, there have been many times in 25 years that Maureen has gone "above and beyond" to meet her patients' needs. I could describe many situations where Maureen displayed the "caring nature" that nursing requires. There have been countless times she has supported families as they say good-bye to their dying child, offering a lock of hair, a handprint and, most importantly her presence, actively listening as families express their overwhelming fears and feelings. However, I believe what sets Maureen apart are not only those many memorable moments but also the care she delivers every day.

As a nurse caring for infants, children and adolescents, the family was always part of her assignment with the patient. Before "family centered care" became a now commonly used phrase in healthcare, Maureen included families in all the care she delivered, understanding the importance of family in recovery. Maureen realized then that family centered care was not just providing more amenities to patients and families but including them in the patient's care, respecting their unique family needs and supporting their decisions.

As technology has provided nurses with many devices that assist us to deliver the best care, Maureen never lost sight of the fundamentals of nursing. Though a patient may be on a specialty bed, attached to a monitor and respirator, the importance of turning patients, skin care and communicating with the patients and their families during care procedures is always paramount.

Communication is one of Maureen's strongest attributes. Her plan of care for a patient is always clearly and shared with the health care team. She communicates with the MD's regarding all changes in patients' condition. Realizing the importance of documenting that plan of care, Maureen consistently utilizes the CareMap at change of shift report assuring a seamless experience for patients.

Because of her years of experience in caring for patients and her attention to both the basics of nursing and details of a patient's care, I have relied on Maureen to mentor and orient a number of nurses throughout her years of service. Maureen assists new staff members to obtain both the critical care skills and caring skills necessary to work in this ever-changing environment.

Maureen has represented the unit on the Professional Practice Committee, Education Committee and Standard Policy-Procedure Committee. She has also been honored in our "Center of Excellence".

—Marianne Mc Tyre, RN
North Shore University Hospital