Alexa Caparas
September 2023
Alexa
Caparas
,
RN
H4
University of Arkansas for Medical Science
Little Rock
,
AR
United States

 

 

 

Her willingness to go above and beyond has been portrayed many times over. She exudes so much positivity and is an absolute joy to work beside.
Alexa was taking care of a patient who had been declared brain dead and was being worked up for organ donation. The family expressed their request for their loved one to have makeup and jewelry placed on her. As being a nurse myself, my honest first thought about this request was that it was absolutely crazy. Alexa's positive attitude and willingness to accommodate the grieving family's request was very refreshing and made me rethink my initial thoughts. It softened my hardened heart that we as nurses sometimes experience. Sometimes, it’s hard to remember to put yourself in someone else's place and remind yourself of what you would want done if you were in the other position. Alexa immediately jumped up and started brainstorming a way to make this request possible. A respiratory therapist was more than willing to help make this request possible and had some fake eyelashes that were placed on the patient. Also, had some lip gloss that was used on her lips and also her cheeks. Another nurse fashioned a necklace out of the patients' rings with the string from some sutures that he took the needle off of. Although this was a group effort, it would not have been made possible if Alexa had not had the loving and caring attitude that she had that day. Her willingness to go above and beyond has been portrayed many times over. She exudes so much positivity and is an absolute joy to work beside. She deserves to be recognized not only for this selfless and loving experience but also for the many more times her leadership and positivity have changed my attitude for the better. I hope to continue to learn from her compassion and am lucky to know her. Thank you. Great job, Alexa!