July 2019
Brian M
Schultz
,
ADN, RN
Emergency Department
The Christ Hospital Health Network
Cincinnati
,
OH
United States
Brian got down to my mother's eye level, told her everything would be okay and that she could always reach out for help when needed, and then wished her the best. To watch that heartwarming moment right before my eyes, it that does not restore your faith in humanity I don't know what else could.
I am sure you receive a multitude of nominations regarding nurses going above and beyond for their patients and family members during a difficult time in their lives, for some it's the worst day of their lives. I can only imagine how hard it is to choose a recipient of the DAISY Award, as they are all so very special in their own way. Nursing is not for everyone, and for some, it is merely just a job. It takes a very special person with compassion, empathy, selflessness, strength, integrity, passion, and understanding to be one of those extraordinary nurses you are blessed with who make a big impact. When I think of those listed traits in a nurse there is one person that comes to mind, Brian Schultz.
Nursing is not just all about passing a few meds and sending a patient on their merry way. Nursing is about finding a real solution for a patient and creating an environment of healing. It's the smallest gestures of a nurse checking in on a patient and listening to them that make a world of difference. Brian was born to be a nurse, he has the innate gift of unconditional compassion and determination to not only do everything he can for a patient but rather with them. Brian works with his patients through the healing process, and he listens not only with his ears but also to the nonverbal signs. Brian is sure to keep his patients updated, willing to explain any process as detailed as possible as well as answering questions, putting any scared patient/family member at ease. He makes his patients and family members a part of the treatment team, working together to do what is best for the patient versus rambling off physician orders and medical terminology. During times like this, that very special trait of his is key and means more than he will ever know to both the patient and their family. Those are just a few things that make Brian an exceptional nurse in general, I myself had the pleasure of Brian caring for my mother which I am forever grateful for.
Mental health can be very touchy subject for many due to the large amount of misunderstanding and judgement that comes along with it, it is very hard for people to find the courage to seek help. We all would like to think mental health issues won't affect us or our loved ones until it actually happens. In the beginning of May my mother had reached a breaking point and had a mental breakdown, leaving her feeling helpless with no place to turn. She had an appointment that day with her PCP where she voiced her thoughts of suicide. When I received the call regarding this, I immediately thought, what better place to take her than The Christ Hospital? From the moment we checked into the ED, everyone was beyond caring and compassionate towards her. After being taken to a bare room with a bed and paper gown, my mother became very uneasy and anxious, fearing being judged for what she was being seen for. My words of encouragement could only do so much soothing as it wasn't my judgement she was fearing, it was others. After about less than 5 minutes in comes Brian, the nurse who would be taking on her care while in the ED. From the moment he walked in he had the most caring tone about him. Brian really sympathized with my mother and truly listened to her. The ED was very busy that day, and Brian not only took the time to really listen to her but also walked her through the process step by step on what would be taking place. Brian made her feel like a human being, treating her with respect and dignity. Not one time did he make her feel as if she were crazy. That day, Brian had an educational class he needed to attend, but he never just left my mother. He walked in with the nurse who would be caring for her until he returned, introduced him, and talked about where we were in the process. Before leaving, he placed us in a "normal" room with a T.V., and offered warm blankets, food, and drink. It was those small gestures that showed he genuinely cared and saw her for who she was: a mother, daughter, simply somebody's loved one.
Upon Brian's return from his class before he even received report from the nurse who was temporarily caring for my mother, he came straight in to check on my mother and informed her he was going to get report and come back to update us. Less than ten minutes later, he was back with an update. My mother was being placed on 72-hour hold in the psych unit. While that can sound a bit terrifying, he sat and explained what everything meant and how everything would happen. Talking through the process with both my mother and I put her at ease, making her feel we are a team working together for the improvement of her health. Communication was key during this visit. My mother already didn't feel like she had control anymore, but Brian made her feel like she did. She was aware of every step, and nothing caught her off guard, which can be so calming, especially due to the circumstances. As Brian received the call that my mother's bed was ready and she would be going to the unit he came in once again to update her on where we were and what would take place once she made it upstairs. He grabbed her a wheelchair and put a blanket around her. Brian got down to my mother's eye level, told her everything would be okay and that she could always reach out for help when needed, and then wished her the best. To watch that heartwarming moment right before my eyes, it that does not restore your faith in humanity I don't know what else could.
For Brian's unsurpassable level of care given to my mother and me, I will be forever grateful. Brian is more than just a nurse clocked in for another shift, he is the face of what The Christ Hospital strives to be for the community each and every day. The Christ Hospital has truly been blessed with one of a kind. Any patient in Brian's care will be heard, cared for, treated with dignity and respect, and advocated for. Brian takes pride in caring for his patients and meeting their needs in the most professional, caring manner. For this, he is beyond worthy of such a prestigious award. Not only should Brian be honored to wear a DAISY pin if given the opportunity, but the DAISY Foundation should be just as honored to have such an exceptional nurse representing what the foundation stands for and living that out each and every day in and out of scrubs. As John Green puts it, "What's the point of being alive if you don't at least try to do something remarkable?" Brian is just that, a remarkable person/RN making remarkable changed in our community one patient at a time.
Nursing is not just all about passing a few meds and sending a patient on their merry way. Nursing is about finding a real solution for a patient and creating an environment of healing. It's the smallest gestures of a nurse checking in on a patient and listening to them that make a world of difference. Brian was born to be a nurse, he has the innate gift of unconditional compassion and determination to not only do everything he can for a patient but rather with them. Brian works with his patients through the healing process, and he listens not only with his ears but also to the nonverbal signs. Brian is sure to keep his patients updated, willing to explain any process as detailed as possible as well as answering questions, putting any scared patient/family member at ease. He makes his patients and family members a part of the treatment team, working together to do what is best for the patient versus rambling off physician orders and medical terminology. During times like this, that very special trait of his is key and means more than he will ever know to both the patient and their family. Those are just a few things that make Brian an exceptional nurse in general, I myself had the pleasure of Brian caring for my mother which I am forever grateful for.
Mental health can be very touchy subject for many due to the large amount of misunderstanding and judgement that comes along with it, it is very hard for people to find the courage to seek help. We all would like to think mental health issues won't affect us or our loved ones until it actually happens. In the beginning of May my mother had reached a breaking point and had a mental breakdown, leaving her feeling helpless with no place to turn. She had an appointment that day with her PCP where she voiced her thoughts of suicide. When I received the call regarding this, I immediately thought, what better place to take her than The Christ Hospital? From the moment we checked into the ED, everyone was beyond caring and compassionate towards her. After being taken to a bare room with a bed and paper gown, my mother became very uneasy and anxious, fearing being judged for what she was being seen for. My words of encouragement could only do so much soothing as it wasn't my judgement she was fearing, it was others. After about less than 5 minutes in comes Brian, the nurse who would be taking on her care while in the ED. From the moment he walked in he had the most caring tone about him. Brian really sympathized with my mother and truly listened to her. The ED was very busy that day, and Brian not only took the time to really listen to her but also walked her through the process step by step on what would be taking place. Brian made her feel like a human being, treating her with respect and dignity. Not one time did he make her feel as if she were crazy. That day, Brian had an educational class he needed to attend, but he never just left my mother. He walked in with the nurse who would be caring for her until he returned, introduced him, and talked about where we were in the process. Before leaving, he placed us in a "normal" room with a T.V., and offered warm blankets, food, and drink. It was those small gestures that showed he genuinely cared and saw her for who she was: a mother, daughter, simply somebody's loved one.
Upon Brian's return from his class before he even received report from the nurse who was temporarily caring for my mother, he came straight in to check on my mother and informed her he was going to get report and come back to update us. Less than ten minutes later, he was back with an update. My mother was being placed on 72-hour hold in the psych unit. While that can sound a bit terrifying, he sat and explained what everything meant and how everything would happen. Talking through the process with both my mother and I put her at ease, making her feel we are a team working together for the improvement of her health. Communication was key during this visit. My mother already didn't feel like she had control anymore, but Brian made her feel like she did. She was aware of every step, and nothing caught her off guard, which can be so calming, especially due to the circumstances. As Brian received the call that my mother's bed was ready and she would be going to the unit he came in once again to update her on where we were and what would take place once she made it upstairs. He grabbed her a wheelchair and put a blanket around her. Brian got down to my mother's eye level, told her everything would be okay and that she could always reach out for help when needed, and then wished her the best. To watch that heartwarming moment right before my eyes, it that does not restore your faith in humanity I don't know what else could.
For Brian's unsurpassable level of care given to my mother and me, I will be forever grateful. Brian is more than just a nurse clocked in for another shift, he is the face of what The Christ Hospital strives to be for the community each and every day. The Christ Hospital has truly been blessed with one of a kind. Any patient in Brian's care will be heard, cared for, treated with dignity and respect, and advocated for. Brian takes pride in caring for his patients and meeting their needs in the most professional, caring manner. For this, he is beyond worthy of such a prestigious award. Not only should Brian be honored to wear a DAISY pin if given the opportunity, but the DAISY Foundation should be just as honored to have such an exceptional nurse representing what the foundation stands for and living that out each and every day in and out of scrubs. As John Green puts it, "What's the point of being alive if you don't at least try to do something remarkable?" Brian is just that, a remarkable person/RN making remarkable changed in our community one patient at a time.