Kathy Valentine
Kathy's nomination came in the form of a questionaire: Tell us why this nurse is excellent: Kathy Valentine RN II is a very experienced perioperative nurse. She has a wide variety of knowledge in all three areas of periop- SDS, OR, and PACU. She currently works as a cross trainer in both SDS and PACU. The following examples will demonstrate, Kathy's willingness to learn, teach and spend individualized time with her families. With the Epic rollout, Kathy has had to learn 2 different departments charting at the same time. She makes the transitions with ease between units. As a cross trainer, she is expected to go between SDS and PACU. This is often switched back and forth several times in one shift. This can be very difficult to switch your routine and your mind frame like this. Kathy also does so with ease. How does this nurse make a special connection with your family and child?:Kathy always takes the time to get to know her patients and her family. For example, a few months ago she was caring for a young girl who was here for a routine endoscopy. Although having gone through this several times before, she and her mom were both very nervous and this was her first time at Liberty. After spending time talking to them, Kathy learned that the girl had had unpleasant experiences in the recovery room and waking up with a different nurse and without her mom. Kathy having worked in the recovery room was able to thoroughly explain the "wake up" process. In addition, she came over to the PACU and asked if I could take care of this girl after her surgery and if I would come introduce myself pre-op so the young girl would see a familiar face when she woke. I did just that and when the girl came to the Recovery Room I called her mom to the bedside immediately and she was present for her wake up. This mom was very appreciative of how much time Kathy took with them to meet their individual need. Share examples of how the nurse educates your family and child:With Kathy's knowledge of the entire peri-op process she is able to educate the patients and their family. She is able to prepare families of what to expect in the PACU as well as in the PACU answer very specific questions of the surgical procedure. She has also taken her own time to take a medical spanish class. This is very helpful to begin communicating with the child while waiting on the interpreter to be present at the bedside. Describe a situation during which this nurse made your family and child feel comfortable:The girl who was quite afraid before story did not stop here. Kathy took the time to set herself and me up as primary nurses for this young girl. She also gave mom her email so mom could plan ahead and email her so we knew when she would be coming in next. The mom did that and the girls visit went so smoothly. I had her again in the recovery room and her length of stay in the PACU went from 1 1/2 hours the first time to 30 mins the 2nd time because mom and family were so comfortable. Tell us how this nurse includes your family and child in the planning of their care: When working in SDS, Kathy takes time to individually learn each patients needs and address them. She always treats the patient not the surgery their having. She makes certain to verbally pass along all pertinent information to the other people caring for that patient as well as electronically document. Kathy makes sure parents are comfortable with taking their child home after surgery prior to discharging them. If they aren't ready she allows time for them to stay longer in the PACU.
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