Cheri Nievera
November 2013
Cheri
Nievera
,
RN, BSN
Cardiothoracic ICU
Barnes-Jewish Hosptial
St. Louis
,
MO
United States

 

 

 

Background- this patient was a gravely ill woman who was transfered from another BJH hospital in profound cardiogenic shock and in need of advanced life support treatment. After a week of intense treatment in the Cardiothoracic ICU it was apparent that she would not recover. Cheri was aware of the night nurses discussions with the patient's husband. She helped the husband during the days difficult conversations with the patient's surgeon about the husband's desire to withdraw support in compliance with the patient's wishes.

From the husband:

Thank you for the gentle care all of you provided to my wife while she was with you. Many of you also ministered to me in incredible ways during that time. I must say a very special thank you to Cheri. Cheri you instinctively knew all the little things to say and do that helped me so much as my wife quietly passed from this life to be with our savior.. you are truly a credit to your profession and to Barnes-Jewish.