Angela Christensen
May 2022
Angela
Christensen
,
RN
Medical Oncology, Hematology -- Acuity Adaptable Unit
Stanford Hospital and Clinics
Palo Alto
,
CA
United States
When Angela learned the patient had passed and was off the unit, she left her lunch break early so she could help her teammates.
Our unit had a very young (DNR/DNI) patient pass away while en route for a procedure. It's never easy to have a patient pass away on your shift; it's even more traumatic when the patient is alone en route. One of the unit’s travel nurses was caring for this patient. She was very emotional and grieving the loss of her patient. Angela was the break nurse (float nurse) and supported this nurse and the entire unit during this time. She stepped up to support her teammates and patient's families in an exceptionally compassionate way.
When Angela learned the patient had passed and was off the unit, she left her lunch break early so she could help her teammates. When the nurse got back to the unit, Angela helped support the travel nurse by offering to cover her assignment and encouraged her to take time, step off the team and decompress. Angela demonstrated compassionate care to her coworker. The travel nurse was hesitant to pass on her responsibilities, but Angela advocated for her well-being and encouraged her to take time for herself. She sincerely cared about the well-being of her colleague.
When the travel nurse left, Angela prepared the body and room for the family to visit. The family was distraught, and Angela continued to provide compassionate care for the family and respected their time and grieving process. She offered support and ensured all their needs were met. The rest of the unit was busy, and Angela continued to help her teammates on a busy day - despite her own busy workload. There were many new staff members that had lots of questions that day, and Angela provided excellent education and support. She collaborated with her teammates and ensured everyone received their breaks and the unit was running smoothly.
In addition, another patient was highly anxious and continuously jumped out of bed. The only thing that calmed her down was having someone sit with her and hold her hand. Again, Angela went out of her way, sat with the patient, and held her hand for 20 min. Angela is an example of the nurse we all strive to be. Not only does she provide excellent care to her patients, but she also provides that same care to the families and most especially to her teammates. She is respectful to others, honest, and sincere; she exhibits all values that encompass a caring heart.
When Angela learned the patient had passed and was off the unit, she left her lunch break early so she could help her teammates. When the nurse got back to the unit, Angela helped support the travel nurse by offering to cover her assignment and encouraged her to take time, step off the team and decompress. Angela demonstrated compassionate care to her coworker. The travel nurse was hesitant to pass on her responsibilities, but Angela advocated for her well-being and encouraged her to take time for herself. She sincerely cared about the well-being of her colleague.
When the travel nurse left, Angela prepared the body and room for the family to visit. The family was distraught, and Angela continued to provide compassionate care for the family and respected their time and grieving process. She offered support and ensured all their needs were met. The rest of the unit was busy, and Angela continued to help her teammates on a busy day - despite her own busy workload. There were many new staff members that had lots of questions that day, and Angela provided excellent education and support. She collaborated with her teammates and ensured everyone received their breaks and the unit was running smoothly.
In addition, another patient was highly anxious and continuously jumped out of bed. The only thing that calmed her down was having someone sit with her and hold her hand. Again, Angela went out of her way, sat with the patient, and held her hand for 20 min. Angela is an example of the nurse we all strive to be. Not only does she provide excellent care to her patients, but she also provides that same care to the families and most especially to her teammates. She is respectful to others, honest, and sincere; she exhibits all values that encompass a caring heart.