Gwen called me into the room one day for a patient she was caring for. I noticed that she had been particularly attentive to this patient that morning and as it turned out, the patient was having increased anxiety. She had told Gwen, she just "had a bad feeling". As any RN knows, this is the dreaded phrase that we never wish to hear from a patient and always sparks concern.
Gwen responded quickly, compassionately and attentively by assuring the patient that she was going to help her through this time. She promised the patient she would not leave her bedside. Gwen delegated appropriately to me and other RNs and PCAs so that her other patients were adequately cared for while she focused on this patient who she was increasingly worried about.
What caught my attention most was Gwen's commitment to this patient. Although at the time, all the patient said was she "had a bad feeling", she was completely stable. However, Gwen's compassion and ability to put herself in her patient's shoes led her to promise this patient she was committed to not leaving her side until they worked through this. Gwen's experience as a RN is also what I believe contributed to her knowing that this patient was going to need increased monitoring, based on her sense of impending doom.
Gwen quickly gained this patient's trust by maintaining her promise of not leaving the patient alone. She sat at her bedside and her calming nature and genuine kindness helped the patient know she was there for her and was going to help her. Gwen assisted the patient by calling her husband so he could return to the patient's side, while Gwen chit chatted about the patient's home life to distract her and calm her down from the current situation.
Sure enough, not too long after, the patient's stability began to trend downward. Gwen showed quick action by activating the appropriate emergency response team and providing the care necessary for the patient's situation. She helped advocate for the patient after a delay in receiving blood from the blood bank and advocated for a transfer to a unit that could provide higher level of care to meet all the patient's needs. Through this all, she maintained essential communication between the patient, husband and doctors.
I will always look up to Gwen because she truly has a huge heart. Everyone I've asked to contribute to this story, has a similar response of, "Gwen?! She's just so sweet!" She shows her patients respect, empathy and understanding. Gwen can often be spotted sitting in a patient's room just talking and getting to know her patients and families. She shows them all the same genuine kindness. Even through all her years of nursing she has somehow continued to maintain this attitude, and for that she deserves to be recognized!