Cynthia Steen
May 2024
Cynthia
Steen
,
RN, VA-BC
Vascular Access Team
Nicklaus Children's Hospital
Miami
,
FL
United States
Cynthia came promptly the very first time the patient needed a 2nd IV, and though the patient was very nervous, Cynthia joked and spoke with her all the way through and was able to get her IV and many labs that were needed!
Cynthia was an angel to a very unique and special teenage patient we had on 3 North. The patient was a challenge due to a variety of physiological factors, but they had a very sweet soul. This patient also happened to be alone due to her mom having started a new job. It was critical for her mom to be at her new job the very first few days. The patient's family was 3 hours away.
The patient had to go through multiple IV placements and lab draws. Unfortunately, the patient was a very difficult stick, which only added to her anxiety about being admitted to a hospital alone. Cynthia came promptly the very first time the patient needed a 2nd IV, and though the patient was very nervous, Cynthia joked and spoke with her all the way through and was able to get her IV and many labs that were needed! The next day, the patient needed a timed blood sample due to her treatment. When phlebotomy was unable to obtain her sample after 2 attempts, I had to turn to the IV team again for their vascular expertise. Cynthia was prompt to come when she saw the patient's name, knowing how challenging the stick was and how successful and comfortable the patient had been with her. I was so grateful, and the patient was feeling appeased as her tears disappeared knowing both a very skilled and compassionate person had arrived to help her get through the much-needed task.
It was a beautiful thing to watch over the 2 shifts that I was the patient's primary nurse. Not once was Cynthia upset about having to face a challenging task multiple times. On the contrary, she took the initiative to handle it with the love, care, and respect that the patient needed and deserved. She was an exemplary nurse who demonstrated compassion, dignity, love, and advocacy for a young lady facing a hospitalization on her own. The patient was blown away by Cynthia's skills! She kept saying how Cynthia was the first and only nurse to get her IVs and labs on the first try even in comparison to another hospital she had been at. Thank you, Cynthia, on behalf of the patient and myself as her primary nurse. We need more beautiful and willing souls like you to flood our profession!
The patient had to go through multiple IV placements and lab draws. Unfortunately, the patient was a very difficult stick, which only added to her anxiety about being admitted to a hospital alone. Cynthia came promptly the very first time the patient needed a 2nd IV, and though the patient was very nervous, Cynthia joked and spoke with her all the way through and was able to get her IV and many labs that were needed! The next day, the patient needed a timed blood sample due to her treatment. When phlebotomy was unable to obtain her sample after 2 attempts, I had to turn to the IV team again for their vascular expertise. Cynthia was prompt to come when she saw the patient's name, knowing how challenging the stick was and how successful and comfortable the patient had been with her. I was so grateful, and the patient was feeling appeased as her tears disappeared knowing both a very skilled and compassionate person had arrived to help her get through the much-needed task.
It was a beautiful thing to watch over the 2 shifts that I was the patient's primary nurse. Not once was Cynthia upset about having to face a challenging task multiple times. On the contrary, she took the initiative to handle it with the love, care, and respect that the patient needed and deserved. She was an exemplary nurse who demonstrated compassion, dignity, love, and advocacy for a young lady facing a hospitalization on her own. The patient was blown away by Cynthia's skills! She kept saying how Cynthia was the first and only nurse to get her IVs and labs on the first try even in comparison to another hospital she had been at. Thank you, Cynthia, on behalf of the patient and myself as her primary nurse. We need more beautiful and willing souls like you to flood our profession!