John is the whole package and last night I had the pleasure to observe him demonstrate Sentara qualities as well as qualities highlighted by the DAISY Award.
The ED had an elderly women who had been temporarily detained (TDO) by the Community Service Board (CSB) for 72 hours in our department. The TDO had run out prior to John's shift, but CSB decided to reach out to adult proactive services to further pursue detainment. John spent time with this woman, who only stated she wanted to go home. He discovered she had a roommate, financial means, and was clear in her intentions and plan. John questioned the ethics of pursuing detainment.
John researched the chart and then reached out to his Unit Coordinators with his plan to advocate for her to return home (she was no longer under a TDO). He worked with the physician, several internal Sentara organizations, and then to CSB to advocate for this women. John was successful! He then arranged for the woman returned to her home. Due to this women's age and cultural barriers, she may have had her independence stripped but John took the time and advocated to preserve that for her. John views his role as caregiver far beyond their medical needs. He truly focuses on how he can improve the wellbeing of his patients in all areas.
Our aging population will need more than medical care, and as nurses, will have the opportunity to reach out and affect our patient's lives beyond our hospital walls. John is an amazing nurse that cares to go beyond the hospital. We will be lucky to have such a caring motivated nurse in our corner when it is our turn to need help.