Rachel Stewart
February 2024
Rachel
Stewart
,
RN
Behavioral Health
University of Maryland Shore Regional Health
Easton
,
MD
United States

 

 

 

Rachel took the time to sit down with the patient to discuss the pain she was describing in great detail, winning the patient's trust and ensuring that the patient felt heard and cared for.
Rachel is in her first year of nursing and has already identified herself as an exceptional caregiver. She is dedicated to the well-being of her patients and goes well above and beyond to ensure that they are heard, respected, and cared for. Her devotion to the unit is perhaps best seen in her strong communication skills, which is a critical asset when working in behavioral health. For example, a patient was on the unit with a litany of diagnoses and concerns. Prior providers had assumed that many of her physical complaints were psychosomatic, which would not have been uncommon. The patient was irritable and not very kind, but Rachel completed her nursing duties and then took the time to sit down with the patient to discuss the pain she was describing in great detail, winning the patient's trust and ensuring that the patient felt heard and cared for. Not only that, but Rachel then took it upon herself to read up on what could be causing her symptoms and presented it to the unit providers, who were able to notify the hospitalists. Rachel's selflessness ensured that a patient who struggled to help herself got the care and attention that she needed.