Emily Bell, a registered nurse in the critical care unit of WellStar Kennestone, is known as a strong advocate for her patients.
She put her advocacy into action one night for a patient who had received a few stents. Around midnight, the patient’s blood pressure started dropping and he became slightly out of breath.
Emily quickly got an EKG and notified the cardiologist midlevel on call. She received various orders, but nothing that seemed to help the patient.
She persistently called the midlevel before insisting she speak with the doctor on call. The doctor followed the midlevel’s plan of care, even as Emily insisted everyone was missing something.
After day shift arrived, Emily approached the midlevel on call with her concerns. He ordered an ECHO, and a large tamponade was discovered, requiring the patient to be immediately rushed to surgery. The midlevel said the patient could have had a cardiac arrest were it not for Emily’s close observations and advocacy.
Learn more about Emily Bell in her own words
Age: 30
Current position: I am currently a Registered Nurse in the Cardiac Care Unit at WellStar Kennestone Hospital. I have the privilege of caring for critically ill patients that present with a diagnosis related to cardiac disease.
How long have you worked at WellStar? What did you do previously? I have been working for WellStar for seven years and started at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in the New Graduate Residency program in 2011 on a Cardiac Telemetry floor. I previously worked in the Emergency Department prior to my transfer to the CCU in 2013.
How long have you been a nurse? Seven years.
Education: I graduated from Georgia Southern University with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I graduated in December 2017 with my MSN from the University of South Alabama.
Family: My mother Vanessa Davis and brother Jeremy Bell. My career also has been influenced by my grandparents, Richard and Sarah Davis, as well as my Aunt Beth Strickland and Uncle Terry Strickland.
Answer this question: I got into nursing because … Since I was very young, I have always known that I wanted to work to help people. I was able to witness my aunt and mom, who work in the healthcare, make a difference, and I knew that I wanted to become a nurse.
Answer this question: the best part of my job is … working with the multidisciplinary team and seeing a critically ill patient make a complete recovery. It has been so encouraging to see patients on the verge of dying make a full recovery and have amazing outcomes. It provides a rewarding experience to impact and improve the patients’ health and lives in the CCU and at WellStar Kennestone Hospital.
Answer this question: the most challenging part of my job is … Working in the CCU can be intense, busy, and stressful at times. It can be challenging, as well as mentally and physically exhausting, to provide critically ill patients care for 12 (or more) hours. At times, even with all efforts given, the outcome may not be what was wanted or expected. It can be overwhelming, but I think it is outweighed by all of the positive effects that are seen.
How do you handle stress? Handling stress is important to improve the balance of your job and life. I found that one way to manage stress is taking a break. A break can mean 15 minutes at work or a small vacation. It can help to take time away from the constant worry and pressure. I also love a good long nap! Evaluating and decreasing stress is important in the care of your patients and yourself.
What do you do for outside fun? I love to travel and learn about new places, including Europe and other foreign destinations. I also enjoy traveling to cities across the country to enjoy the experience of concerts, football games, and baseball games.
What’s a piece of advice you’d give to a new nurse? Balance your job, stress, and life. Being a nurse can be at times overwhelming, stressful, and exhausting but so rewarding! Find that right balance to prevent becoming burned out. Listen to your patients and always advocate for them no matter what. You are their voice in providing them the passionate care that healthcare needs.
Describe one of your most meaningful days as a nurse. One day, I was caring for a patient who was recently admitted and quickly decompensated, requiring intubation and eventually multiple vasopressors at high dosages. Working with the critical care team, we were able to determine the cause, a large pulmonary embolism, and treat it quickly. While staying by the bedside, I was able to slowly see signs of improvement, and I was able to prevent this patient from cardiac arrest. Two days later, the patient was extubated and later was able to go home. It was a significant and meaningful day.
