Jen has always demonstrated compassionate care to all of her patients. But she has a particularly compassionate heart when it comes to a dying patient and her caring attitude towards the family of the patient.

One particular instance was a patient that Jen cared for a few months ago. She did not know this patient from any previous admissions and cared for him during his last admission. He was admitted to the Telemetry Unit and had a diagnosis of cancer. Jen quickly developed a special rapport with the patient and his family, especially his daughter. She helped to facilitate discussions between him, his family, and his physicians when difficult decisions needed to be made about his plan of care and when they needed to make a decision to enter the Hospice program.

The patient wanted to be at home and Jen helped him and the family get ready for his discharge. The family called Jen after his discharge with some questions that she readily took the time to answer. One day, with the family’s approval, Jen decided to stop by their home to visit. When she arrived, the patient was actively in the dying process. Jen stayed with him and his family, along with the Hospice staff until he died. She was welcomed as part of the family.

Her compassion and personal time commitment to this patient and his family was an outstanding example of exemplary nursing and compassion. This family was very grateful for her care and stayed in touch with Jen for awhile afterwards. I have no doubt that this family will remember Jen as an outstanding representation of excellent nursing and for TCCH.

The person on the left in the photo is her nominator, Tina Maher, Telemetry Director