Dana Morris
November 2022
Dana
Morris
,
BSN, RN, CCRN
PICU
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston
Atlanta
,
GA
United States

 

 

 

Dana took the time to help her 20-year-old patient walk to the bathroom, high flow attached, pumps/meds attached... to the shower so that her patient could maintain the independence and dignity that was so important to her.
I witnessed first-hand how she displayed care above and beyond for her patient. Dana was assigned a very busy patient who required frequent care and intervention. Her patient, a BMT patient in respiratory distress, had been a rapid from the Aflac floor two days prior. Due to the critical nature of her health, she had not had a real shower in two days, only washcloth baths. This nurse took the time to help her 20-year-old patient walk to the bathroom, high flow attached, pumps/meds attached... to the shower so that her patient could maintain the independence and dignity that was so important to her. This patient was at the end stages of her disease process and was very ill, but independence was everything to her. This nurse spent 1:1 time with her patient, ensuring she was safe as she took a shower.

After her shower, this nurse decided to remain at the patient's bedside, just to give her company and help her take her mind off her current health situation. This nurse was an incredible example that night as to why nursing is so much more than administering medications and collecting vital signs/labs. Nursing that night was all of that and helping a 20-year-old girl maintain her dignity for as long as possible. I think that is incredibly important, and this nurse should definitely be recognized for it.