Janelle Wassell
August 2021
Janelle
Wassell
,
RN, ADN
Medical Services
Sky Ridge Medical Center
Lone Tree
,
CO
United States
We are grateful for Janelle's compassion and for treating our father as an individual, remembering things that motivate him, and adding a personal touch to her nursing care.
I was admitted to Sky Ridge by way of 911 ambulance. I will start by saying that all the hospital staff, especially all the nurses and respiratory staff were excellent, exceeding professionally and exceedingly kind and caring. I am so grateful.
Now I would like to focus on the admitting nurse who cares for me at the beginning of my hospitalization. Since I was in very unstable condition, even life-threatening, and since no family members could be present due to COVID-19, she was by my side as much as 90% of her shift. My daughter who is a nurse could not be present so there was constant contact and communication between her and Janelle to keep me off the ventilator, which is considered the last resort to assisting breathing. Janelle made it a priority to contact my family, holding the phone for me to FaceTime since I was so weak. She worked with my family to provide the best care. When I was in such a fragile condition, Janelle stayed at my bedside. She talked to me a lot about everything to keep me alert and breathing with oxygen. Most of the time, she kept talking even when I could not. She offered many words of encouragement- “Be tough” and “don’t give up” and “you can do this.” It was great to see her so human and caring along with her superb professional skills. She told me what was happening clinically and made sure that I had all the information I needed to decrease my anxiety.
In addition, Janelle got to know me as an individual. She listened when my family told her what motivated me, who I am outside of this illness and what things would help me heal. She read letters from my family, talked about my hobbies, and gave me hope. She told my family she treats her patients as she would want her family treated, and I genuinely believe her. Janelle went above and beyond when she would come in and visit for twenty to thirty minutes after her shift ended. It was so thoughtful and appreciated. She got to know me and showed professional compassion throughout my admission. Even when she heard that I might be discharged when she was not working, she came in to say goodbye to me after a three-week stay. I am confident she would provide the same level of care to all patients, but I contend, she saved my life. She is a skilled nurse who exemplifies the caring profession combining knowledge, critical thinking, and care to guide her practice. She was a Godsend and will always be an angel to me. Janelle should be recognized for her professionalism and for going above and beyond to care for her patient. I will forever be grateful.
***
I am the daughter of a recently hospitalized patient. He was hospitalized for three weeks and received excellent care from every area of the hospital. We are grateful for all the Sky Ridge staff! I wanted to commend one specific nurse, Janelle Wassell who went above and beyond in practicing excellent nursing care as well as using companionate, thoughtful communication. Because my father was on COVID-19 isolation, no family was allowed to visit for the entirety of his stay. As you can imagine and have seen, this is extremely difficult for patients, families, and staff alike. We realize it is time-consuming to keep family informed but also very necessary. Dad is extremely close with his family and relationships are paramount with everyone he meets. Janelle took the time to learn about my dad and form a professional relationship that contributed to his healing and recovery.
On the first date of his admission, after he arrive by ambulance, Dad was in unstable condition and very anxious. Janelle took the time to FaceTime all of Dad’s children and his wife so he could hear them encourage him and share their love with him. Janelle always called with updates when she said she would and kept me up to date so I could then inform the rest of the family. It is noticeably clear she is a skilled practitioner, and we are so grateful for her expertise.
In addition, we are grateful for her compassion and for treating our father as an individual, remembering things that motivate him, and adding a personal touch to her nursing care. Janelle’s communication is effective, clear, genuine, and professional and we thank her for the excellent care my dad received at Sky Ridge Medical Center.
***
I have lived a lifetime of complex medical conditions all affecting my heart, mind, and family. I was brought to Sky Ridge in an ambulance and was told I needed to trust the docs and make a risky only choice for treatment. Without family and a very scared soul, my once cemented faith was lost. Despite a great group of people and professionals around me, I felt alone. JANELLE! Without preaching, teaching, or speaking Janelle looking me in the eye and encouraged me in a way I have never heard before. Janelle’s sincerity, kindness, professionalism but sweet sensitive expression told me to “Choose life.” I’ll never forget the day Janelle changed my future. Her efforts are not only in conversation, Janelle cares about everything related to your healing. Better still she involves you (me) in the process. Bottom line: Janelle is a life-changing gift, a treasure.
Now I would like to focus on the admitting nurse who cares for me at the beginning of my hospitalization. Since I was in very unstable condition, even life-threatening, and since no family members could be present due to COVID-19, she was by my side as much as 90% of her shift. My daughter who is a nurse could not be present so there was constant contact and communication between her and Janelle to keep me off the ventilator, which is considered the last resort to assisting breathing. Janelle made it a priority to contact my family, holding the phone for me to FaceTime since I was so weak. She worked with my family to provide the best care. When I was in such a fragile condition, Janelle stayed at my bedside. She talked to me a lot about everything to keep me alert and breathing with oxygen. Most of the time, she kept talking even when I could not. She offered many words of encouragement- “Be tough” and “don’t give up” and “you can do this.” It was great to see her so human and caring along with her superb professional skills. She told me what was happening clinically and made sure that I had all the information I needed to decrease my anxiety.
In addition, Janelle got to know me as an individual. She listened when my family told her what motivated me, who I am outside of this illness and what things would help me heal. She read letters from my family, talked about my hobbies, and gave me hope. She told my family she treats her patients as she would want her family treated, and I genuinely believe her. Janelle went above and beyond when she would come in and visit for twenty to thirty minutes after her shift ended. It was so thoughtful and appreciated. She got to know me and showed professional compassion throughout my admission. Even when she heard that I might be discharged when she was not working, she came in to say goodbye to me after a three-week stay. I am confident she would provide the same level of care to all patients, but I contend, she saved my life. She is a skilled nurse who exemplifies the caring profession combining knowledge, critical thinking, and care to guide her practice. She was a Godsend and will always be an angel to me. Janelle should be recognized for her professionalism and for going above and beyond to care for her patient. I will forever be grateful.
***
I am the daughter of a recently hospitalized patient. He was hospitalized for three weeks and received excellent care from every area of the hospital. We are grateful for all the Sky Ridge staff! I wanted to commend one specific nurse, Janelle Wassell who went above and beyond in practicing excellent nursing care as well as using companionate, thoughtful communication. Because my father was on COVID-19 isolation, no family was allowed to visit for the entirety of his stay. As you can imagine and have seen, this is extremely difficult for patients, families, and staff alike. We realize it is time-consuming to keep family informed but also very necessary. Dad is extremely close with his family and relationships are paramount with everyone he meets. Janelle took the time to learn about my dad and form a professional relationship that contributed to his healing and recovery.
On the first date of his admission, after he arrive by ambulance, Dad was in unstable condition and very anxious. Janelle took the time to FaceTime all of Dad’s children and his wife so he could hear them encourage him and share their love with him. Janelle always called with updates when she said she would and kept me up to date so I could then inform the rest of the family. It is noticeably clear she is a skilled practitioner, and we are so grateful for her expertise.
In addition, we are grateful for her compassion and for treating our father as an individual, remembering things that motivate him, and adding a personal touch to her nursing care. Janelle’s communication is effective, clear, genuine, and professional and we thank her for the excellent care my dad received at Sky Ridge Medical Center.
***
I have lived a lifetime of complex medical conditions all affecting my heart, mind, and family. I was brought to Sky Ridge in an ambulance and was told I needed to trust the docs and make a risky only choice for treatment. Without family and a very scared soul, my once cemented faith was lost. Despite a great group of people and professionals around me, I felt alone. JANELLE! Without preaching, teaching, or speaking Janelle looking me in the eye and encouraged me in a way I have never heard before. Janelle’s sincerity, kindness, professionalism but sweet sensitive expression told me to “Choose life.” I’ll never forget the day Janelle changed my future. Her efforts are not only in conversation, Janelle cares about everything related to your healing. Better still she involves you (me) in the process. Bottom line: Janelle is a life-changing gift, a treasure.