Louie De Guzman
May 2016
Louie
Guzman
,
RN, BSN
Pulmonary/Telemetry
Providence Holy Cross Medical Center
Mission Hills
,
CA
United States
I recently finished my preceptorship with Louie, an RN on the pulmonary tele floor. During the six shifts that I spent with him, I have come to not only respect him as a teacher, but have also witnessed what an amazing nurse he is. I greatly admired how he explained not only to me, but to all of his patients why certain medications and procedures were ordered by their physicians. By taking the time to provide them with a better understanding, he made his patients more comfortable and put their fears to rest.
The moment that really stuck with me happened when Louie and I were floated to the Step-Down unit. We were assigned to a patient who was given news that his cancer had progressed and that no treatment could send him back into remission. The patient was devastated, cried, and barely ate after he received the news. Since no family or friends were at the patient's bedside, Louie devoted the majority of his time to him that day. He explained to me that although we could no longer do much for the patient medically, we, as nurses, have a duty to be there for our patients in any way that we can; in this case, by staying at our patient's bedside to let him know that he was not alone. So, that's exactly what we did, taking turns, that day. At the end of our shift, the patient was so appreciative that we had been there to just listen and hold his hand through a difficult time.
That day reminded me of how nursing is both a calling and a privilege. Louie has truly set an example of the kind of nurse that I strive to become in the future.
***
Louie routinely is acknowledged by patients and staff for his excellent care and willingness to help others. Louie is very quiet, but when you spend time with him, you see his willingness and compassion to help those that are in need. Louie is additionally a support for his peers, willingly answering questions that are posed to him and sharing his knowledge. Louie has taken on the responsibility and challenge of being a back-up Charge Nurse. We are grateful that Louie chose to work on 3C and look forward to many more years of him providing excellent patient care.
The moment that really stuck with me happened when Louie and I were floated to the Step-Down unit. We were assigned to a patient who was given news that his cancer had progressed and that no treatment could send him back into remission. The patient was devastated, cried, and barely ate after he received the news. Since no family or friends were at the patient's bedside, Louie devoted the majority of his time to him that day. He explained to me that although we could no longer do much for the patient medically, we, as nurses, have a duty to be there for our patients in any way that we can; in this case, by staying at our patient's bedside to let him know that he was not alone. So, that's exactly what we did, taking turns, that day. At the end of our shift, the patient was so appreciative that we had been there to just listen and hold his hand through a difficult time.
That day reminded me of how nursing is both a calling and a privilege. Louie has truly set an example of the kind of nurse that I strive to become in the future.
***
Louie routinely is acknowledged by patients and staff for his excellent care and willingness to help others. Louie is very quiet, but when you spend time with him, you see his willingness and compassion to help those that are in need. Louie is additionally a support for his peers, willingly answering questions that are posed to him and sharing his knowledge. Louie has taken on the responsibility and challenge of being a back-up Charge Nurse. We are grateful that Louie chose to work on 3C and look forward to many more years of him providing excellent patient care.