Alisha truly showed what it means to be a team member by going above and beyond for a patient whom she was not even the RN for. She helped the patient get up to go to the restroom, knowing that the patient was adamant about not using a bedpan. After getting up to the bedside commode, the patient was very impulsive and wanting to get up. To ensure patient safety Alisha got a rolling recliner and placed the patient in the chair moving him out to the nurses' station with her to ensure he would not fall. She even went as far as turning on highlights of the Dallas Cowboys on YouTube for the patient to watch to ensure he was engaged and safe. It was amazing to see a patient who had been somewhat confused all morning suddenly naming all his favorite players and enjoying himself. She did a fabulous job of not only demonstrating amazing patience but of communicating with the patient so he understood why she brought him to the nurses' station and the importance of keeping him safe. The family soon showed up and was absolutely amazed that he was already out of bed and at the nurses' station.
I cannot even begin to put into words what this single act meant to both the patient and his family! Not only did this act have a positive impact on the patient and family but as a preceptor, she was able to give her orientee a perfect example of how to handle situations like this in the future! As the patient began to get antsy while sitting in the chair she even went so far as to give him towels to fold and sports-related seek-and-finds to help keep him engaged and reduce his risk of getting up and falling.