Recently, a patient underwent a very difficult surgical procedure that ended in the young female patient having an ostomy. Waking up to an unexpected ostomy for any patient is shocking and terrifying, but especially for such a young patient. Cristin has been following this patient after her surgery. There are many days Cristin spends over an hour with this patient. The hour is not spent clinically, but mostly emotionally, listening and providing support for this life-altering situation. It is not required for Cristin to follow up with this patient every shift, yet she does. The patient had been admitted for quite a while and her spirits had been down. Cristin went out of her way to coordinate bringing the patient outside for some fresh air. The hospital's policy is to only allow patients to go outside under "special circumstances." Cristin went above and beyond to contact all the appropriate leaders including risk management, the attending physician, and nursing leadership to advocate for taking the patient outside. Cristin has continued to advocate and take the patient outside a few times a week, drastically improving the patient's spirits.
Recently, the patient gave this feedback about Cristin, "She was my rock, helping me through the dressing changes and wound appliances - with kindness and support that had been amazing."
This is just one patient example of Cristin's unwavering commitment to her patients and the organization's values. Cristin goes above and beyond the call of duty every shift she works. Cristin is also now developing an ostentatious support group for patients.