December 2022
Shannon
Burke
,
BSN, RN
TJUH Interventional Radiology
Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals
Philadelphia
,
PA
United States
She engages every individual she encounters, allaying their fears through communication and education, listening to their needs, and supporting them by establishing a sense of trust that is essential in the clinical setting.
As a critical care registered nurse who spent the bulk of her career at the bedside in acute care, I must say that I held the best view as to the impact an outpatient registered nurse could have on patient satisfaction. How could high-quality healthcare in a dignified, safe, and medically advantageous way be delivered in an ambulatory setting? The ill-conceived notions that I held toward the ambulatory community have been thoroughly dispersed by witnessing the actions of one very dedicated and caring nurse in the outpatient radiology department at Thomas Jefferson. Shannon Burke is a registered nurse in the MSK radiology department at TJUH. Since I arrived at the clinic almost one year ago, I have witnessed daily acts of professionalism, kindness, and awe-inspiring patient-directed care that rivals anything encountered at the bedside. From the 95-year-old man trying to independently navigate the coordination of carpal tunnel surgery to the distraught mother of three with chronic abdominal pain from an unknown etiology to the young athlete struggling to heal from an injury, Shannon exercises a whole-person approach in dealing with patients. She engages every individual she encounters, allaying their fears through communication and education, listening to their needs, and supporting them by establishing a sense of trust that is essential in the clinical setting. Shannon is keenly aware and empathetic to those suffering from acute/chronic pain. She understands how miserable and isolating acute/chronic pain can be and how this pain is often compounded by anxiety and frustration over limited resources and appointment dates that are often months away. Shannon embraces the nursing role of patient champion and liaison, investing hours of time and energy in manipulating the resources available to get patients seen in a timely fashion. She skillfully navigates the high volume of patient calls and emails, performs daily phone triage on worried customers, and distributes evidence-based knowledgeable advice and direction that significantly diminishes fear and anxiety. She constantly collaborates with physicians and other disciplines to provide the most appropriate and goal-centered care in a timely and efficient manner. She promotes high-quality care standards within the department that help to ensure optimal patient outcomes and meet quality insurance indicators. Shannon has built a solid rapport with innumerable patients, often making them feel like family. She has played a pivotal role in changing the trajectory of patients' care and improving the quality of their lives. Shannon embodies what it means to be a selfless and dedicated patient care advocate. Her value as an employee should be celebrated.