Barbara Stokes
April 2016
Barbara
Stokes
,
MSN, RN
Emergency Department
Baptist Medical Center Nassau
Fernandina Beach
,
FL
United States
Barbara Stokes is, without a doubt, one of the most whole-hearted caring nurses we have in the hospital. Although she touches many lives, one day I'm sure she made all the difference in the world that one nurse could make in a family member's life. Shortly after losing her grandson, Barbara was almost immediately back to work. I overheard someone telling her that she was surprised she did not take more time off. Barbara replied and stated that she 'figured she might as well be at work doing what she does.' It turns out that at work was exactly where she needed to be that day.
A code stroke patient was coming to the ED by rescue. A couple had just arrived on Amelia Island from out of town and were on their way to check into a hotel when he suddenly showed stroke symptoms, the wife pulled over and called 911 for her husband. It took almost an hour before the patient was taken CT because the team had to perform CPR and intubate him. He had suffered from a massive hemorrhage. His wife was alone in the waiting area for quite some time. Barbara, our fast track nurse, took the time to sit with this woman for almost an hour. When the wife learned from the doctor that his prognosis was not very good, Barbara stayed with her and talked with her in the consultation room. She took the time to explain what the doctor had told her in more detail. She sat with her while she called her family. While there was not much hope for saving his life, there were doctors that wanted the patient transported to Jacksonville. The man would have only been kept alive by machines. The wife patiently talked with all of her family and made the decision to keep him there and let him go.
I could not begin to imagine the horror and heartbreak that this woman experienced. She was alone in a town she was merely visiting with her husband and had no family that could be with her that day. She was completely alone, except for Barbara and our chaplain who was there for a portion of the time. I am certain that Barbara made all the difference, short of saving her husband's life, that one nurse could make in this woman's tragic day. Oddly enough the fast track rooms remained mostly empty this entire time, giving Barbara the time to be Barbara. While she had a very difficult time coming back to work after her own loss, Barbara was in fact meant to be there 'doing what she does'.
A code stroke patient was coming to the ED by rescue. A couple had just arrived on Amelia Island from out of town and were on their way to check into a hotel when he suddenly showed stroke symptoms, the wife pulled over and called 911 for her husband. It took almost an hour before the patient was taken CT because the team had to perform CPR and intubate him. He had suffered from a massive hemorrhage. His wife was alone in the waiting area for quite some time. Barbara, our fast track nurse, took the time to sit with this woman for almost an hour. When the wife learned from the doctor that his prognosis was not very good, Barbara stayed with her and talked with her in the consultation room. She took the time to explain what the doctor had told her in more detail. She sat with her while she called her family. While there was not much hope for saving his life, there were doctors that wanted the patient transported to Jacksonville. The man would have only been kept alive by machines. The wife patiently talked with all of her family and made the decision to keep him there and let him go.
I could not begin to imagine the horror and heartbreak that this woman experienced. She was alone in a town she was merely visiting with her husband and had no family that could be with her that day. She was completely alone, except for Barbara and our chaplain who was there for a portion of the time. I am certain that Barbara made all the difference, short of saving her husband's life, that one nurse could make in this woman's tragic day. Oddly enough the fast track rooms remained mostly empty this entire time, giving Barbara the time to be Barbara. While she had a very difficult time coming back to work after her own loss, Barbara was in fact meant to be there 'doing what she does'.