I wanted to share something one of my Float RN's did last night. Ashley's patient was not doing well, she had him the night before when he started decompensating. He and the family told her he wanted last rites when the time became necessary. She was fortunate enough to be assigned the patient again last night and recognized the drastic change. He was now unable to speak and appeared confused and agitated.
I was House Supervisor when Ashley came in to inquire whether or not we had a Priest on staff. She returned approximately 10 minutes later stating her father was a Baptist Preacher. She had reached out to him in North Carolina and he contacted a Priest who agreed to perform last rites over the phone. Ashley retrieved the rosary kept in the Nursing Office and her cell phone so he and his family's wishes could be carried out. She said it wasn't perfect and she had to hold back tears, but he was calm during the reading and the family was incredibly thankful. While she thought it was no big deal, I think it is proof of what a wonderful and compassionate nurse she really is.