Inside the Action of EvergreenHealth Emergency Care
When EvergreenHealth registered nurse Tomoko Nagata's alarm goes off in the late afternoon, her day is just beginning. As a charge nurse in the Kirkland emergency department, Nagata prefers the night shift, supporting patients and families in the late night hours while most of the community sleeps.
Having grown up just outside Tokyo, Nagata was a nurse in Japan for several years before relocating to the U.S. in 2002.
She joined EvergreenHealth in 2006, beginning as an RN on the hospital's medical/surgical inpatient unit before she shifted her focus to emergency care in 2012.
Over the past decade in the ED, Nagata says what she's enjoyed most is the collaborative environment – nurses, doctors, assistants, EMTs, technicians and many other hospital staff working together as colleagues to address the constantly shifting priorities and needs that arise in emergency care. While the pace is fast and action-packed, she appreciates the moments of connection and camaraderie that take place in the ED every day.
"What I love is that everyone is helping each other, listening to each other and providing support to each other," Nagata said. "Regardless of your role or title, our hospital culture encourages us to ask questions and share information. Doctors, supervisors and managers provide an appropriate answer quickly. It's always collaborative."
Supporting staff and sharing information is a big part of Nagata's role as an ED charge nurse. Charge nurses are leaders in the unit, responsible for juggling staffing, patient assignments, communicating with the ED providers, nursing leadership and much more.
A Night in the Life of an Emergency Department Charge Nurse
While no two shifts are alike, Nagata shared insight into what emergency care nurses often encounter throughout their workday – or night, in Nagata's case.
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