Shannon Day
August 2024
Shannon
Day
,
RN
Surgical Services
UVA Culpeper Medical Center
Culpeper
,
VA
United States

 

 

 

She immediately asked the daughter if she could go with her to the ER and help prepare the father for discharge. The daughter was so grateful, and you could visibly see the stress leave her face.
While working together in PACU one day in May, Shannon went above and beyond to help a patient and her family. I was caring for an elderly lady, who had both physical and mental struggles. The patient’s daughter was her primary and only caretaker, as well as her father. The daughter was brought to the bedside to review home care instructions. At this time, I learned that the patient’s husband had been taken to the ER for an accidental ingestion of the wrong meds. The daughter was very overwhelmed, trying to juggle the care of both parents. Her plan was to drive the patient (mother) home and arrange for a neighbor to stay with her, then she would return to the ER to care for her father and transport him home. I made Shannon aware of the situation and she jumped into action without hesitation. She immediately asked the daughter if she could go with her to the ER and help prepare the father for discharge. The daughter was so grateful, and you could visibly see the stress leave her face. I stayed back with my patient while Shannon and the daughter dressed, toileted, and cared for the father during discharge. Shannon and I wheeled both patients to the daughter’s car and helped transfer them. This fast thinking, willingness to help, and simple act of kindness saved the daughter from having to make multiple trips and worrying about organizing care for both parents. The daughter hugged Shannon and me, expressing how much she appreciated the extra efforts to help them. This is just an example of Shannon's many times working as a team player and advocating for her patients. I always look forward to my shifts with her, knowing that she is an amazing co-worker and exemplary nurse! We are truly blessed to have her on our team!