When a patient’s bed alarm sounded during a clinical rotation, Skylar Maulbeck stepped in to help. What Maulbeck noticed in that moment may have helped trigger a life-saving response. 

Maulbeck, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) student at Galen College of Nursing’s Roanoke campus, was completing a clinical rotation at LewisGale Medical Center in Salem, Virginia. When a bed alarm signaled that a patient needed attention, the primary nurse was assisting another patient. Maulbeck moved quickly to support the nurse responding to the alarm. 

The nurse observed that the patient was confused and not following directions. But Maulbeck had interacted with the patient earlier and recognized something subtle but critical. The confusion was not just present. It had clearly worsened. 

That difference mattered. 

By speaking up and sharing that observation, Maulbeck provided the registered nurse with context the care team did not yet have. That insight prompted the nurse to call a rapid response team. The response led to a stroke alert and the patient’s transfer to the hospital’s progressive care unit for advanced care. 

In fast-moving clinical environments, recognizing a change in a patient’s condition can be just as important as responding to immediate symptoms. Without that awareness, critical warning signs can be missed. 

“Without Skylar popping in to help and recognizing the change in the patient, the nurse wouldn’t have known that confusion was a change for that patient,” LewisGale Medical Center nurse Maddie Robinson wrote in a Flower Bud nomination form. “I’m proud of Skylar and her quickness to help!” 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, early recognition and treatment of stroke symptoms are essential to improving patient outcomes. Acting quickly can significantly reduce the risk of long-term complications. At Galen, students learn the BE FAST stroke mnemonic for recognizing stroke symptoms, as well as learning stroke-related nursing care.

“Skylar’s actions during her clinical rotation are a powerful example of what it means to translate classroom and laboratory learning at Galen School of Nursing into real-world patient care,” said Daphne McBride, MSN, RN, Clinical Education Manager at Galen’s Roanoke campus. “She demonstrated strong clinical judgment by recognizing a subtle but significant change in her patient, and, just as importantly, she had the confidence to act. Her willingness to step in, support her team, and advocate for the patient reflects the kind of compassionate, competent care we strive to instill in all of our students. Skylar embodies what it means to be a confident, capable, and compassionate future nurse.” 

On May 4, as Maulbeck arrived for the start of her clinical rotation at LewisGale Medical Center, she was honored with the Flower Bud Award by her nurse leaders at the hospital. In attendance were Galen faculty members, LewisGale Medical Center CEO Collin McLaughlin, and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Niki Duell among many others.  

“We are proud to recognize Skylar and grateful for the promise she represents as a future nurse,” Niki Duell, MSN, RN, LewisGale Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer said. “Her contributions on 6W reflect the compassion, dedication, and teamwork that make a meaningful difference in patient care.”

For Maulbeck, this experience reflects the responsibility that comes with clinical learning. It is not only about mastering skills. It is about paying attention, recognizing patterns, and having the confidence to speak up when something is not right. 

If you’re interesting in following your calling to become a nurse, Galen College of Nursing can help you get there. We offer multiple pre-licensure nursing degree programs, including the two-year ADN program that Maulbeck is in. There’s also a practical nursing/vocational nursing diploma that can get you started, and the three-year bachelors of science in nursing degree, which prepares you with clinical and leadership knowledge for your career as a nurse.