Shared Nurse Stories of Inspiration and Hope
A Nurse with a Mother's Heart
On New Year’s Eve two 15- passenger vans were traveling to a basketball tournament in our area when one of the vans swerved off the road overturning and causing a tragic motor vehicle crash. As everyone was preparing to leave the hospital for wonderful evening celebration, a disaster was called with the possibility of more than 20 victims to arrive in our emergency department, all children. This nurse was the first to drop everything and head for the ED for a very difficult evening attending our unexpected guests from New York. It is during this event that this nurse displayed many of the characteristics of an exemplary Nurse.
The night of the disaster I remember her telling me as we went to the ED, “I’m not an ED nurse I’m an OB nurse, but I will help where I can.” She was assigned to making sure all the victims who came into the department were identified. A despairing call came that a DOA was on the way in and there was no identification. Someone needed to set-up a receiving temporary morgue and this nurse volunteered. The body arrived and this nurse received it. She first attended to securing the only fatality’s body in the make-shift morgue, providing for privacy for any viewing that might take place. She immediately began the task of searching the belongings for any possible identification. A name was retrieved that was identical to her own son’s name. Filled with an enormous sadness she made a commitment at that moment to be a mom to the children who were suddenly among strangers in a far-away place without comfort from the one who loved them the most. She made her way down the hall finding teenagers on stretchers in the hall very frightened and alone. She stopped and talked with each one providing comfort and answering questions as she could, but mostly listening to their concerns allowing them to cry on her shoulder.
The driver of the van was the team’s Coach’s daughter, very young herself. Her brother, who was critically ill had to be transported to a trauma center and her father had to go with him. She was charged in the ED and was required to go the Magistrate Office to post bond. This nurse refused to let her go alone and went with her, because of the tragic circumstances the driver did not have any money to post bond. This nurse got the cash and was ready to post the bond. She then took the driver and her two sisters to her home, bought clothes, fed them, and paid for and retrieved prescriptions for them. She accompanied the sisters to a local church where the other uninjured teammates were housed. During the debriefing, she stayed with children never leaving their side. There she took on the role of comforting and listening each child’s story of grief and disbelief. She held some in her lap while they cried or just provided a hug to others. She kept the sisters at her home for several nights and took them to visit their brother at the out-of- town trauma center.
In a communication back to our hospital from the MVC victims they each describe her as gentle, caring and comforting. Everyone who knows this nurse knows this is not unusual for her. She demonstrates this kind of caring in every aspect of her life both professionally and personally. However, her caring on this night has forever effected how I view patients and families in crisis.
Susan
Rowan Regional Medical Center
A Story of Love and Compassion
Wednesday, March 29, 2006: See you soon, Curtis
Three and a half years ago, on November 4, 2002, I met the woman of my dreams, my first day on the job at Blue Ridge HealthCare. Three weeks later, after my new boss, VP of HR Phil Satey, convinced me it would be OK to date someone in the workplace (a rule I had long adhered to since the divorce from my first wife) I asked her out. A month after that, I asked her to marry me, and 2 months after that, we wed. Debbie and I shared many important things in common. Perhaps most important among them was and is devotion to God and family. I brought 3 kids into the marriage, Isaac, Samuel, and Callie, and she brought 2 boys, Brandon and Curtis, with 1 grandchild, Breanna, and two more that would come…Anna, and Austin. Our family had grown and we began to build our new life together.
Two and half weeks ago, on March 12, 2006, our doorbell rang at 5:00 a.m. on that Sunday morning. At the door was Debbie’s ex-husband, Bill, with news that her 21 year old son, Curtis, had been killed tragically in a car accident at 2:15 a.m. that morning. Shocked and dazed, we got up, got dressed, and made our way to Grace Hospital in Morganton. When we arrived, the ED staff quickly settled us in the private waiting area and summoned the house supervisor to our side.
Within minutes, Ellen Avery appeared as an angel sent by God to minister to our needs. Over the next 3 hours or so while we were there, Ellen didn’t leave our side. As the cell phone calls kept coming to her, she quietly and discreetly handled each one while continuing to make us feel as though we were the only ones there in her care. Debbie wanted to view Curtis’ body, so Ellen took us to the morgue. I was amazed at how, in this most tragic and difficult of moments, she remained calm, compassionate, and caring. As busy as I know she was, she allowed us to dictate the schedule, taking as much time with us as we needed to work through the myriad of pain and emotions we were feeling.
As family members continued to arrive, Ellen returned to the morgue with us no less than 4 times, and each time, she remained calm and sensitive to the needs of the moment. When we were finally ready to return to our home, Ellen asked if she could lead us in a prayer. She wept as she prayed, and I knew we had been in the care of someone special…someone who was genuinely connected to what she was doing and sincerely cared about helping us through our ordeal.
I didn’t know Ellen very well before that day, but now I consider her one of my favorite service heroes. Debbie and I have a warm and tender memory of Ellen and Grace Hospital because of her care. Ellen made a real difference in our lives that morning as she helped us navigate through our maze of emotion, trauma and grief. Three days later, on March 15th (Callie’s 13th birthday), we buried Curtis in the family cemetery behind El Bethel church and next to Debbie’s dad. He now rests in peace in the presence of God and I will never forget the angel God sent to minister to our needs that morning at Grace Hospital in Morganton. Ellen Avery is my service hero. She made a real difference while she served us with great purpose and worth. And what a difference she has made in our lives. And what an opportunity we all have in healthcare to make that kind of difference in people’s lives every day. We are truly blessed to be able to serve others with such great purpose and worth. Good-bye for now, Curtis. We’ll see you again soon.
David
Blue Ridge Health Systems
Family Time
I've been a nurse for the past 22 years, and I know how annoying family members can be when they stay past visiting hours. Nurses have enough to do without having to satisfy the needs of their patient's families too, right? I remember feeling that way many times while working the midnight shift on a busy med-surg unit.
My mother suddenly took ill a few years ago, and was admitted into the hospital. She was adamant about being a DNR/DNI so there wasn't much the doctors could do for her. My mother and I had a somewhat estranged relationship and I only saw her a couple of times a year. When I realized that she was dying, none of our differences were important anymore. I wanted to spend what ever time she had left, just being with her.
The nurses let me and my two sisters spend the night, and kept the other bed in her room empty so we could have some privacy. They brought us coffee several times during the night as my mother's condition worsened. It helped us stay awake so we wouldn't miss a single moment with our mom. They could have asked us to leave, or stay in the visitor's lounge. They could have insisted that only one of us stay. It was inconvenient for them, but they gave us the best gift anyone could give. We were able to spend my mother's last night on this earth with her, and with each other. My mother died peacefully in her sleep at 5am, knowing that her family was there. I was able to hold her hand even after it was cold. I missed out on so much time with my mother while she was alive, but being able to say goodbye helped ease my pain and guilt. I could actually say that it changed my life. I want to thank the nurses that gave me this time, and who looked at us as a family losing their mother, not the family of 412D.
Lisa Virtua West Jersey HospitalProfound Moments
In nearly 24 years of nursing I have found the most profound moments occur when I allow myself to just be a human being, and relate to my patients as fellow human beings. My patients humble me and I am in awe of the way they let me into their hearts in such a deep and intimate way. This happens most when my patient is terminal and coming to the end of his or her life.
My most memorable patient was a man in his 60's that had terminal CHF and end stage kidney disease. His blood pressure was in the 60's all day and he was very short of breath. His (very wise) cardiologist came and told him we could intubate him but that he would probably die anyway. "Well, let me go then" was his very lucid reply. I promised him I would make sure he was comfortable and even in his distress he thanked me. I brought in his wife and son. He held them both and told them how wonderful they had been to him and how much he loved them. We were all in tears. I pushed morphine and more morphine and his blood pressure got into the 50's. He looked at me and said "How long is this going to take?" I said I didn't know and we both laughed. I gave more morphine and he wasn't short of breath anymore. A few minutes later he was holding hands on each side with his wife and son, and he looked up into the corner of the room, took a deep breath and died. The monitor showed asystole after only a few beats of bradycardia. He never took any after breaths and he was wide awake the whole time. His family was so open and so full of love in the midst of their loss, I was absolutely awe struck.
I will never forget that man as long as I live. He makes me remember that to serve others is to enrich myself. I still love nursing after all these years because for me it is all about standing with people and allowing the integrity of their experience to unfold. Relief of fear, suffering and having an open heart in the midst of fire is my goal. I can't think of any other job where I could do this for a living. I am so glad to be a nurse.
Sharmaine RN/ Staff Nurse/ Intensive Care
Marin General Hospital
Above and Beyond
I was called to a patient's room in March by our Patient Representative. She wanted to share a story with me about one of the PICU nurses. The patient this nurse was caring for was an infant with a poor prognosis. The mother's family was in Mexico. The mother wanted two things: 1) to be able to have her family come and visit, and 2) to have her baby Christened.
My nurse took it upon herself to work with our Social Workers, Chaplains, and even the Mexican Consulate to get this family taken care of. She made many phone calls, wrote letters, and finally the patient's grandparents arrived. In addition, the nurse bought the patient a Christening gown, took photos, and put together a photo album for the mother. She did all of this very quietly, and with out an expectation for recognition. She knew it was the right thing to do, and never gave up. The patient's mother says that this nurse is an angel, sent here to help her in her greatest time of need.
Going above and beyond moved the Patient Rep so much that she submitted the nurse for the “Hope and Will Award”. This award is given to an employee who has given outstanding customer service, displayed an exemplary attitude and spirit, exceptional skills and a strong commitment to the organization. In addition, it is given to someone who has demonstrated our values: integrity, teamwork, nurturing, excellence and respect. Yesterday, May 9, this PICU nurse was presented the Hope and Will Award. What a way to Celebrate Nurses' Week!
Carolyn Schwab
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Caring Humor
I was working in SICUCT unit and I had a patient who had heart transplant. I was looking for my calculator so I can do my hemodynamic calculation but one of our residents took it without telling me. I made a comment that this is my second calculator. The next day the patient’s wife brought a small calculator (yellow color) from Merill Lynch and she gave it to me. She told me that her husband wanted me to have it. The company gave it to him before he retired due to his illness. I told both of them(the patient and his wife) that I can not have it because it was his retirement gift but he insisted and told me how I make him laugh with my jokes, hold his hand when he is depressed, encourage him, and spent time talking to his wife. He told me he appreciated the care I give him.The patient died and I still have the calculator. Everytime I look at it, I always remember him and his wife, and that little things we do can go a long way. Also, it is alright to tell jokes with patients and just touch their hands and let them feel you are with them. For me, the thing I want to hear is "thank you nurse for the care you gave me."
Ercele
Temple University hospital
High Tech Caring
I am one of those weird people who actually likes crisis intervention. One of my most rewarding experiences came when I was a Nursing Supervisor. I was called to assist with an unstable elderly female. The staff had called family in and I went out to discuss resuscitation status with the two family members that were present. They were not able to make her a DNR at that point, so she was coded and transferred to the unit. I took them to the waiting room and helped them make more phone calls to other family members. The Unit staff was supportive to them and any family who wanted to was able to spend time with the patient. The family as a whole was then able to make the decision to make her a DNR. When I went back to them when the patient expired, one of the women I had spoken with earlier said, "Thank you, you all have made a horrible situation bearable." This was so rewarding to me and the other staff because we were able to demonstrate how "intensive CARING" goes hand-in-hand with "high tech care".
Carolyn
St. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital
Renewed and Proud
Like most ED's mine is busy, short staffed and at times, very crowded. Sometimes I feel like we fail to meet anyone’s expectations. One day when I was particularly discouraged, I went out to make rounds. First I heard a nurse saying to her patient, I am leaving but I wanted to introduce you to Debbie, she will take very good care of you today. Then I heard another nurse saying, I am sorry you are in pain. While we wait on the medication to work, let me get you another pillow and try repositioning you. I walked by a room and found 3 of my staff kneeling around a patient who was developmentally disabled. Two were reassuring her, stroking her hand and arm, and soothing her while another drew blood. The mother told me how afraid her daughter had been but my staff had been so kind, supportive and loving that she was responding to their presence. She told me how glad she was that she had chosen our ED. I left renewed and proud of my staff. I was glad I had chosen my ED, too.
Josephine
Lake Hospital System
Simple Behaviors Improve Patient Care
I recently learned the power of nurse leader rounding to improve the quality of patient care. At Sherman, Lori, a nurse manager was rounding on her patients. She heard wonderful praise for one of the physicians because he sat down during his rounds, was patient with his explanations, and made the patient feel very cared for. The nurse leader could not wait to tell the physician about the difference he made for his patient. When she called him at the office, she could tell it was a typical phone call interruption from the hospital. However, when she explained why she was calling, he said he "couldn't believe it". He was astounded that the nurse leader took time out of her busy schedule just to praise and thank him. Subsequently, she noticed that the physician was noted to sit with every patient during his rounds. She believes that patient care is improved because we cared enough to notice and praise. Lori and leader rounding really makes a difference everyday. Our simple behaviors improve patient care.
Linda
Sherman Health
Proud
Having spent most of my nursing career in the psychiatric field, I've found that your patients don't always tell you that what you did made a difference. Some days you wonder why you do this type of nursing. Once I was introduced to the Studer principles, I was anxious to try these common sense approaches. I believe they help us to focus on providing the best care and remembering why we came into the profession. We implemented rounding for outcomes with our staff in February. I've been pleasantly surprised that many of our staff acknowledge their co-workers for the differences they are making every day for our patients and each other. Through their comments, I know they have purpose, are doing worthwhile work and are making a difference. I've also seen the spark re-ignited. We're on the road to positive change, better care and improved outcomes. As we continue to implement more of the principles and techniques, I am re-energized and grateful that my leadership skills are benefiting from what I learn and practice. I realize every day that I'm proud to say I'm a nurse.
Carol, RN, COO/Nurse Executive
Brynn Marr Hospital, Jacksonville, NC
A Picture of Caring
Our hospital has a practice of posting pictures of nurses and other staff who have been nominated by their peers for doing something out of the ordinary for a patient or a family. Recently, I was so honored by having my picture in the paper and the story of something I had done for a patient. The patient had no electricity in her home. With some luck, I arranged for a way to get this patient her home c-pap so she would qualify for the bariatric surgery she desperately needed. It was a success story and I was very proud of the patient for her part in this path to wellness. A few months later, a patient came to the Family Practice Center and asked for me. She was told I was off campus, she said she would wait. I asked the staff to get her number and I would call her that evening. She wanted to wait. Finally, hours later, I arrived at the clinic and met with her. Her issue was not a complicated one but what opened my eyes widely was when she said "When I read that story about you in the paper and what you did for that poor woman, I knew you were the person I had to talk to about this problem. I am so glad to know that you work here with my doctor. I told her I would follow up with her soon. She told me she had no doubt I would after reading about me in the paper. Again, at that moment, I was so honored to be a nurse. I realized again how much patients rely on us as nurses to help them.
Sheryl
Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, Maine
A Caring Touch
As the night charge nurse in a high-risk labor and delivery unit, it was my practice to round on all the patients on our unit. One night, a mother who was 22 weeks gestation - with prolonged ruptured membranes - was transferred to L&D from our antepartum unit. She was in labor with a fever and the baby was too young to survive. (This was some years ago.) As I came to her bedside, I reached out and took her hand and asked, 'How are you doing?'- knowing that she was already grieving the loss of her baby. She looked at me, with tears slowly running down her cheeks and said "I felt more caring in your touch than I ever have from anyone else. Thank you for being here."Melissa
Homestead Hospital
Satisfied Employees Means Wowed Patients
Nursing has been a calling of mine for many years. I want to believe that I provide excellent patient care, but you never know until the survey responses come back. Indeed, we do provide excellent care (100% of responses come back 5's). Now that I am a manager with the MCH Difference (which started when all the managers & administrative assistants read the Hardwiring Excellence) I have learned that our employees are most important first. I used to think work on the patients, but now I know I have made some head way when I receive thanks from the Hospice department staff. Satisfied employees mean wowed patients. Since implementing the employee rounding, I have discovered how open & honest the staff are with me. Keeping them updated on happenings & their progress, means they will remain happy and prosperous. One recent thank you was ".... Thanks for being creative with the theme of the nursing week game & thanks for always making sure we feel appreciated."
Kristin
Monroe County Hospital, Albia, Iowa