June 2011
Michelle
Walker
,
RN
PICU
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Atlanta
,
GA
United States
Michelle Walker, Staff Nurse—Resource, PICU, Children’s at Scottish Rite
Michelle is a true example of an extraordinary nurse. Possessing a strong sense of commitment to Children’s and its patients and families, she is a true champion for the organization. Adhering to the highest standards in nursing, she provides superior patient care and is always an advocate for families. She gets involved with them from the beginning and follows through to make sure that they have the best possible outcome. According to one co-worker, “Michelle exemplified the meaning of Primary Care Nursing in our department before any of us had heard the term relationship-based care and is a role model for all of us.”
Early in her nursing career, Michelle provided care for a little boy who had numerous and very complicated health issues. She quickly became not only his nurse when he was in the PICU, but also his friend and his advocate. She became an expert in his care, his treatment and his needs. His family began to realize what an extraordinary nurse she is and began to rely on her, not only as their nurse, but as their friend, even asking her to care for him in their home. Because she loved him so much, she would drive 50 miles to his home to provide his care. As he got older, he was sicker with every admission. “Every time, Michelle was here for them,” said her co-worker. “We all began to look to her to provide us with her knowledge regarding his very individual needs. When he was admitted to our unit, we would call her to make sure that we hadn’t missed anything and to provide us with insight as to how best to take care of him.” Often, at her own inconvenience, she would switch her schedule or work overtime to be present for him and his family. On the day of his last admission to the PICU, he came in sicker than any other time, and it was heartbreaking, but Michelle still had hope. The next day, Michelle came in to sit with his mom at the bedside, providing her with much-needed support. The boy didn’t think of her as his nurse; he thought of her as his friend. Last month, as Michelle spoke at his funeral, she was still able to give his family the strength and support they needed to get through a difficult time.
Michelle is a true example of an extraordinary nurse. Possessing a strong sense of commitment to Children’s and its patients and families, she is a true champion for the organization. Adhering to the highest standards in nursing, she provides superior patient care and is always an advocate for families. She gets involved with them from the beginning and follows through to make sure that they have the best possible outcome. According to one co-worker, “Michelle exemplified the meaning of Primary Care Nursing in our department before any of us had heard the term relationship-based care and is a role model for all of us.”
Early in her nursing career, Michelle provided care for a little boy who had numerous and very complicated health issues. She quickly became not only his nurse when he was in the PICU, but also his friend and his advocate. She became an expert in his care, his treatment and his needs. His family began to realize what an extraordinary nurse she is and began to rely on her, not only as their nurse, but as their friend, even asking her to care for him in their home. Because she loved him so much, she would drive 50 miles to his home to provide his care. As he got older, he was sicker with every admission. “Every time, Michelle was here for them,” said her co-worker. “We all began to look to her to provide us with her knowledge regarding his very individual needs. When he was admitted to our unit, we would call her to make sure that we hadn’t missed anything and to provide us with insight as to how best to take care of him.” Often, at her own inconvenience, she would switch her schedule or work overtime to be present for him and his family. On the day of his last admission to the PICU, he came in sicker than any other time, and it was heartbreaking, but Michelle still had hope. The next day, Michelle came in to sit with his mom at the bedside, providing her with much-needed support. The boy didn’t think of her as his nurse; he thought of her as his friend. Last month, as Michelle spoke at his funeral, she was still able to give his family the strength and support they needed to get through a difficult time.