James Kuss
May 2017
James
Kuss
,
RN
Emergency Department
Transylvania Regional Hospital
Brevard
,
NC
United States
Emergency Departments have many workplace challenges. Nurses working in this fast-paced environment on a daily basis have to contend with many different types of patient populations, tragic situations and push to empty beds for the next waiting patient.
Sometimes it is easy to lose sight of what we may consider the "little things" that our patients need or be able to spend the time we need to really talk to our patient.
Jim is always an advocate for the patient and tries to stay focused on what his patient needs.
Jim had an elderly patient who was refusing admission to the hospital. Jim heard her sobbing and went in to talk with the patient. He did not stand over her but instead pulled a chair beside her stretcher and held her hand. This small action signified to the patient that he cared and he was attentively listening. He made an effort to connect with her and show her he was concerned.
Jim learned that this patient was recently widowed and that she had a dog at home that was a gift from her husband. If she was admitted to the hospital there would no one to care for her dog, this cherished gift from her husband.
Jim began working with the unit HUC to try to find a solution to meet this patient's needs.
On his way home from work he called the HUC with another idea of someone to call. This effort worked out! The dog would be taken care of and the patient was agreeable to a hospital admission. Jim thought outside of the box to meet the needs of this patient.
Jim is known for providing compassionate and emotional support at each opportunity that arises.
He will tell you that this is a part of nursing care that can get lost in an environment where time is of the essence and there is a constant push to be ready for the next patient.
As one of his leaders, the mental picture of Jim sitting there beside her stretcher and holding her hand while she cried and told him her story is priceless.
It reminded me why I became a nurse. It was a moment of seeing a true connection between patient and nurse.
Nursing is truly a calling for Jim. We are blessed to have him as part of our team.
Sometimes it is easy to lose sight of what we may consider the "little things" that our patients need or be able to spend the time we need to really talk to our patient.
Jim is always an advocate for the patient and tries to stay focused on what his patient needs.
Jim had an elderly patient who was refusing admission to the hospital. Jim heard her sobbing and went in to talk with the patient. He did not stand over her but instead pulled a chair beside her stretcher and held her hand. This small action signified to the patient that he cared and he was attentively listening. He made an effort to connect with her and show her he was concerned.
Jim learned that this patient was recently widowed and that she had a dog at home that was a gift from her husband. If she was admitted to the hospital there would no one to care for her dog, this cherished gift from her husband.
Jim began working with the unit HUC to try to find a solution to meet this patient's needs.
On his way home from work he called the HUC with another idea of someone to call. This effort worked out! The dog would be taken care of and the patient was agreeable to a hospital admission. Jim thought outside of the box to meet the needs of this patient.
Jim is known for providing compassionate and emotional support at each opportunity that arises.
He will tell you that this is a part of nursing care that can get lost in an environment where time is of the essence and there is a constant push to be ready for the next patient.
As one of his leaders, the mental picture of Jim sitting there beside her stretcher and holding her hand while she cried and told him her story is priceless.
It reminded me why I became a nurse. It was a moment of seeing a true connection between patient and nurse.
Nursing is truly a calling for Jim. We are blessed to have him as part of our team.