Linda was taking care of a patient and family who were having a difficult time adjusting in the hospital. The patient was very ill and had called patient relations up multiple times. With Linda's great communication skills, the family began to trust our system and the remaining of the stay was uneventful. -From Dr. B.
In addition to what Dr. B. said, I would like to share that I was present during these difficult days with this family. As an oncology unit, we often experience grief and suffering of families and patients first hand, as they are losing control, frightened, and angry. It is not uncommon during times like these, that patients and families become aggressive and demanding, desperate to regain a sense of control over their seemingly hopeless situations. In this instance, this patient and family lost all trust and faith in the system, our hospital, and physicians and rightfully so. Many mistakes and miscommunication between the physicians had taken place during the hospitalization. They were demanding and aggressive and very challenging for most of the staff and physicians to interact with. But not for Linda. Linda understood that what the family demanded wasn't truly what was best for the patient, but she understood their frustrations and fear. She listened to the patient and family, heard their concerns, and offered empathy, compassion and emotional support. Through her consistent, deliberate interactions with them, she gained their trust. She was then able to calmly and clearly explain to them exactly what the physicians had tried to explain several times to no avail. Linda calmed their fears and helped them understand by offering herself, being fully present and truly carrying them through that difficult time.
Dr. B. was blown away by Linda's grace and ability to do this, but I was not. You see, this is an everyday occurrence for Linda. She has the ability to be fully present with her patients, regardless of the chaos that may be going on around her. Her kind, compassionate spirit immediately calms tensions in a room and puts patients and families at ease. She shows up to work every day fully embracing every opportunity that comes her way to touch lives and leave her patients better than she found them. She is a light in the darkness for our patients and their families and to her team. Called to this sacred work, she is a true blessing to 3 South and Kettering Hospital. If ever a nurse was deserving of a DAISY Award, it's Linda Storer. She is extraordinary