We have all been doing our jobs for many years and yet we are still impacted by things that we see every day that make us extremely proud of the profession that we have chosen to be a part of. Recently in the ICU I had the experience to witness firsthand how a nurse can impact those around them.
We had a pediatric patient in the PICU at MMC who had suffered a severe head injury. She was a beautiful young girl, only 18 months old. Both of her parents were young and were very involved in her care. During the time she was with us the family had to face the possibility that their little girl was going to be declared brain dead.
On the third or fourth day here, it was determined that the child was in fact brain dead and that it was time to disconnect her from her life support. Prior to doing this the RN on shift and caring for the patient that day, Aris Alfajardo, took the time to get a "Memory Box" from post-partum. He was able to provide foot prints etc to the family and placed them in the memory box. He then asked the mom if she would like a picture taken of her with her child. He took the time to sit the mom in a recliner chair and carefully placed her baby in her arms for one last time. A picture was taken for the family. With the parents at her bedside her ventilator was disconnected. She passed away quickly.
When leaving the facility, the mom said "thank you" to the nurse, Aris Alfajardo, who was with them that day for taking the time to do what he had done for their family. There was not a dry eye in the department that day.
Thanks to the true compassion and care shown by Aris, the most unbearable time for this family was made just a little easier.