January 2017
Julie
Casey
,
RN
Emergency Department
Southern New Hampshire Medical Center
Nashua
,
NH
United States
The patient being seen was an IV drug user. She had become accustomed to people being rude to her and she was accustomed to terrible experiences in healthcare related to judgment for being an IV drug user. Julie spent time teaching this patient about infection and blood clot. The patient was very honest in her experiences and her drug use. Julie was very concerned for the patient's wellbeing when she was admitted and the patient was concerned about having a new RN care for her after being admitted. Julie promised the patient that she would check up on her to make sure she was doing okay. Two days later Julie called the patient (in her room) to see how she was doing. The patient was not in the room and family answered the phone. They asked to take a message and while Julie didn't want to give her phone number, she gave it. The patient called her back and didn't know who this person was that had called her. When Julie told her who she was and that she was calling to check up on her, the patient was amazed. She stated "I can't believe you called to check on me. I can't believe it. Thank you so much." She didn't have to call the patient. She thought of the patient days after taking care of her. Julie never judged the patient like so many had. This is how she takes care of ALL of her patients. She is just a wonderful nurse.