Benjamin Whiteside
June 2025
Benjamin
Whiteside
,
RN
Med Surge
Corewell Health Big Rapids Hospital
Big Rapids
,
MI
United States
After we addressed the patient's concerns and questions, he reached out, placed a hand on my shoulder, looked me directly in the eye, and said, ‘Now, ma'am, is there anything I can do for you?’
I wasn't having a pleasant experience, then here comes this young, sweet, kind person named Benjamin with a huge smile on his face that could light up the whole world. We had basically a nurse to nurse report. Then the next morning we had another nurse to nurse talk with the presence of my husband. After we addressed the patient's concerns and questions, he reached out, placed a hand on my shoulder, looked me directly in the eye, and said, ‘Now, ma'am, is there anything I can do for you?’ I laughed and said, “Yes, check my BP, so he did. It was a little high, but not as bad as I thought it was. This is what it means to go above and beyond, not just showing up to work to get a paycheck. I have some hope for this younger generation, because of your outstanding nurse Benjamin. He was able to see holistically not just the patient, but his caregiver involved, his wife, who has experienced caregiver fatigue for the last 10 years. Caregivers focus on the patient. There are no words to express how much I needed to hear him ask me the question, “How can I help?” That question is so basic, but it makes a person feel so in the moment present and heard, and in the center of the care we are providing to the patient and family members.