Fern Finnerty

There are lots of ways that Fern is an expert nurse and is an example of great care for her patients. But this time she definitely was the “Synergy” choice for our very depressed patient who had been bedridden for three weeks exhibiting foot drop and was so depressed he just wanted to give up! Fern made it her mission that “no” was not going to be an option. We were not giving up! This gentleman was refusing everything; baths, exercise, wanting to sleep all night and then all day. Fern patiently but persistantly made him work all day with passive and active range of motion exercises, practicing his inspirometer every hour, got him up with the Hoyer lift to a cardiac recliner. At one point he complained to the Charge Nurse “my nurse hates me” but then when asked why he thought this he had to confess it was because Fern was making him do all the things to get his health and mobility back again. 

Prior to this day we weren’t allowed to do too much as the patient had bilateral clots in all parts of his lower extreminities. Once we had the ok from his hemotologist, Fern was committed to seeing him successful. At the end of the shift, this man’s whole affect was turned in a new direction. He really is grateful and realizes there is a possibility now that he will get well, he is going to go home and he is going to walk again. Fern definitely was the right nurse to turn things around for this gentleman. Her “can do spirit” has given him hope for a brighter future. Well done Fern! Great job!