Beverly Patterson
May 2021
Beverly
Patterson
,
LPN
Acute Psychiatric Unit
VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System
Murfreesboro
,
TN
United States
Patients seek Beverly out because of the relationship she develops with them. She is honest, genuine, and talks with them like a respected human being.
I would like to recognize Beverly Patterson. Just tonight she passed out candy I had a vet say how much he appreciated it and that it made him feel like there is someone who cares. When Beverly heard of his comment she went right over and said, “I do care and we appreciate you". The man had tears in his eyes!
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Ms. Beverly's ALWAYS positive attitude makes our veterans smile. I would like to acknowledge the way she REALLY makes a difference here and in the lives of our Veterans. Beverly is known as the “Candy Lady” by our patients on our unit and 7A. She consistently keeps a supply in her pocket to hand out just to brighten their day. This one piece of candy is a small gesture but…really does make a difference as our clients have mood disorders behaviors depression etc.… 7B has many patients who are well known to us and have multiple admissions. They ALWAYS ask for Beverly and look forward to seeing her. She EVEN goes downstairs every night to 7A (our sister unit) for the same purpose. She is our “Ray of Sunshine”. Patients seek her out because of the relationship she develops with them. She is honest, genuine, and talks with them like a respected human being or brother while making them laugh the whole time. It is admirable. ALSO, she is the FIRST one to assist our patients with needs that are over and above. Many come to us in poor condition and with hygiene issues. Beverly will patiently feed them, comb out knotty hair, braid it, clean it, and cut it. She cleans and cuts fingernails (a safety concern on psych) etc. No task is too small for her if it helps give the patient cleanliness, comfort, and dignity. Her usual assignment is to give meds on evenings. It is a busy assignment yet she takes the time to do MORE whatever should be done and MORE. Then she will actually tuck them into bed. She is very compassionate, positive, and hilarious. I cannot help but think how amazing it would be if we had more people like Beverly.
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On this particular evening, we admitted a veteran for depression. He had no psych history and this was his 1st admission. He is 29yo and Beverly noticed he was tearful and trying to hide how uncomfortable and upset he was. She took it upon herself to have another male nurse (who is particularly good at conversations with our veterans) pull him aside privately to talk. Then she had another friendly inpatient introduce himself and talk with him. I am and have been proud of her. It was a generally busy evening. She was very busy with meds but took the time to really make a difference.
***
Beverly found a woman sleeping in her car in our parking lot late one evening. She was a patient’s spouse from out of town and her husband was our inpatient. She had to be in a family meeting on the unit the following AM. She was anxious and willing to sleep in the car not knowing what else to do or where to go. Beverly took it upon herself to ask for care and assistance. She contacted the ER Social worker and facilitate getting his wife lodging for the night at the Fischer House. The woman was so grateful. Thank you!
***
Ms. Beverly's ALWAYS positive attitude makes our veterans smile. I would like to acknowledge the way she REALLY makes a difference here and in the lives of our Veterans. Beverly is known as the “Candy Lady” by our patients on our unit and 7A. She consistently keeps a supply in her pocket to hand out just to brighten their day. This one piece of candy is a small gesture but…really does make a difference as our clients have mood disorders behaviors depression etc.… 7B has many patients who are well known to us and have multiple admissions. They ALWAYS ask for Beverly and look forward to seeing her. She EVEN goes downstairs every night to 7A (our sister unit) for the same purpose. She is our “Ray of Sunshine”. Patients seek her out because of the relationship she develops with them. She is honest, genuine, and talks with them like a respected human being or brother while making them laugh the whole time. It is admirable. ALSO, she is the FIRST one to assist our patients with needs that are over and above. Many come to us in poor condition and with hygiene issues. Beverly will patiently feed them, comb out knotty hair, braid it, clean it, and cut it. She cleans and cuts fingernails (a safety concern on psych) etc. No task is too small for her if it helps give the patient cleanliness, comfort, and dignity. Her usual assignment is to give meds on evenings. It is a busy assignment yet she takes the time to do MORE whatever should be done and MORE. Then she will actually tuck them into bed. She is very compassionate, positive, and hilarious. I cannot help but think how amazing it would be if we had more people like Beverly.
***
On this particular evening, we admitted a veteran for depression. He had no psych history and this was his 1st admission. He is 29yo and Beverly noticed he was tearful and trying to hide how uncomfortable and upset he was. She took it upon herself to have another male nurse (who is particularly good at conversations with our veterans) pull him aside privately to talk. Then she had another friendly inpatient introduce himself and talk with him. I am and have been proud of her. It was a generally busy evening. She was very busy with meds but took the time to really make a difference.
***
Beverly found a woman sleeping in her car in our parking lot late one evening. She was a patient’s spouse from out of town and her husband was our inpatient. She had to be in a family meeting on the unit the following AM. She was anxious and willing to sleep in the car not knowing what else to do or where to go. Beverly took it upon herself to ask for care and assistance. She contacted the ER Social worker and facilitate getting his wife lodging for the night at the Fischer House. The woman was so grateful. Thank you!