April Walker
January 2022
April
Walker
,
RN
Emergency Department
East Tennessee Children's Hospital
Knoxville
,
TN
United States
When April is caring for any patient, especially behavioral health, she diligently makes sure every need is met within her control.
April has been a nurse in the ED for over 5 years. I think it is safe to say that she did not envision her career looking the way it currently does. As our behavioral health patient population has dramatically increased over the last few years, April has been instrumental in our care for this patient population. Ask anyone in our department who they consider an expert on behavioral health patients, and April will be one of the first people mentioned. She knows every policy and procedure forward and backward.
She treats each and every patient and family with respect, dignity, and kindness…even when this is not offered in return. When April is caring for any patient, especially behavioral health, she diligently makes sure every need is met within her control. I have witnessed April spend an entire 12-hour shift working with a severely depressed patient who had not showered for almost a month. She connected, encouraged, and validated this patient and before the end of her shift, the patient had voluntarily showered and completed other activities of daily living.
There have been numerous occasions in which a patient or multiple patients will become escalated, April maintains composure, gathers the appropriate resources, and delivers the safest care possible during some of the most challenging times in the ED. She also tailors her care to meet the patient’s needs-this includes creating specialized meal plans with the dietician, collaborating with child life to find boredom busters that pique the patient’s interest, going above and beyond to find specific items for our patients with autism.
Another patient story that exemplifies April’s willingness to go above and beyond was shown in how she cared for a patient who stayed in the ED for almost a month waiting for placement. The nature of the ED does not usually include care for one patient for several days in a row, let alone weeks. However, April spent weeks caring for this patient who was in DCS custody. At one point during his stay, April washed what clothes he had because it was the right thing to do for this patient. She did this without most people even knowing she did it.
There are countless other examples of April’s selfless care she gives each and every patient. She approaches each patient with grace and compassion no matter the situation. April’s willingness to work voluntarily, nearly every shift, with this patient population is parallel to no other person in this department. Many of these patients come into the ED in a state of crisis and things seem unpredictable. April provides a stable, consistent environment in which these children feel safe. She is a calm port in the storm for so many of our patients. I am honored to work in the trenches with April.
She treats each and every patient and family with respect, dignity, and kindness…even when this is not offered in return. When April is caring for any patient, especially behavioral health, she diligently makes sure every need is met within her control. I have witnessed April spend an entire 12-hour shift working with a severely depressed patient who had not showered for almost a month. She connected, encouraged, and validated this patient and before the end of her shift, the patient had voluntarily showered and completed other activities of daily living.
There have been numerous occasions in which a patient or multiple patients will become escalated, April maintains composure, gathers the appropriate resources, and delivers the safest care possible during some of the most challenging times in the ED. She also tailors her care to meet the patient’s needs-this includes creating specialized meal plans with the dietician, collaborating with child life to find boredom busters that pique the patient’s interest, going above and beyond to find specific items for our patients with autism.
Another patient story that exemplifies April’s willingness to go above and beyond was shown in how she cared for a patient who stayed in the ED for almost a month waiting for placement. The nature of the ED does not usually include care for one patient for several days in a row, let alone weeks. However, April spent weeks caring for this patient who was in DCS custody. At one point during his stay, April washed what clothes he had because it was the right thing to do for this patient. She did this without most people even knowing she did it.
There are countless other examples of April’s selfless care she gives each and every patient. She approaches each patient with grace and compassion no matter the situation. April’s willingness to work voluntarily, nearly every shift, with this patient population is parallel to no other person in this department. Many of these patients come into the ED in a state of crisis and things seem unpredictable. April provides a stable, consistent environment in which these children feel safe. She is a calm port in the storm for so many of our patients. I am honored to work in the trenches with April.