April 2022
Cindi
Bigelow
,
BSN, RN
CICU
Primary Children's Hospital- Intermountain Health
Salt Lake City
,
UT
United States
When the decision was made to withdraw the child from life support, the family requested that Cindi be called to come in (on the night shift on her day off) so that she could hold the baby while she died.
Parents chose to withdraw support on a patient but, for their own emotional well-being, did not want to be there to hold her when she passed. Cindi had been the patient's nurse many times prior to this, so the parents asked if she could come in and hold the baby as life support was removed. Cindi selflessly came in and did that for them, which meant she was here until about midnight. She was also scheduled to work the following day shift, and even though she did have the option to not work, she chose to still work her shift. Cindi has a heart of gold!
***
Cindi came in on her day off to support a grieving family whose child was being taken off life support. Her presence made such a difference for the family, and she also had a huge impact on the patient’s nurse. Cindi is one of the most genuinely kind and empathetic people that I know. She is an incredible role model for other nurses, showing the importance of compassion and not being afraid to express our feelings and emotions. I will always be grateful for having her as a coworker and friend.
***
Cindi consistently goes above and beyond every shift she works in the CICU. When at work Cindi is always at the bedside taking care of patients and their families in a way that is second to none. You will see her comforting her patients and literally be at the bedside until they are calm. She often takes time to hold the babies she cares for when parents can’t be there. She is also a strong advocate for parents to hold their intubated babies in supporting the bond between the parent and child. Recently, there was a situation where an infant was removed from life support because of a devastating ischemic event to the infant's brain. During the several weeks that the infant was in the hospital, Cindi was one of the nurses who cared for this baby. During the time she cared for this baby, I noticed her developing a relationship with this family that, in the end, would have a profound impact on the family’s last moments with this child. When the decision was made to withdraw the child from life support, the family requested that Cindi be called to come in (on the night shift on her day off) so that she could hold the baby while she died. These parents were unable to handle being present when the ETT was removed, but they wanted a trusted individual to be there with their baby.
***
Cindi came in on her day off to support a grieving family whose child was being taken off life support. Her presence made such a difference for the family, and she also had a huge impact on the patient’s nurse. Cindi is one of the most genuinely kind and empathetic people that I know. She is an incredible role model for other nurses, showing the importance of compassion and not being afraid to express our feelings and emotions. I will always be grateful for having her as a coworker and friend.
***
Cindi consistently goes above and beyond every shift she works in the CICU. When at work Cindi is always at the bedside taking care of patients and their families in a way that is second to none. You will see her comforting her patients and literally be at the bedside until they are calm. She often takes time to hold the babies she cares for when parents can’t be there. She is also a strong advocate for parents to hold their intubated babies in supporting the bond between the parent and child. Recently, there was a situation where an infant was removed from life support because of a devastating ischemic event to the infant's brain. During the several weeks that the infant was in the hospital, Cindi was one of the nurses who cared for this baby. During the time she cared for this baby, I noticed her developing a relationship with this family that, in the end, would have a profound impact on the family’s last moments with this child. When the decision was made to withdraw the child from life support, the family requested that Cindi be called to come in (on the night shift on her day off) so that she could hold the baby while she died. These parents were unable to handle being present when the ETT was removed, but they wanted a trusted individual to be there with their baby.