Darren Will
May 2019
Darren
Will
,
BSN, RN, CCRN
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Chicago
,
IL
United States

 

 

 

My sister, J, was admitted to the 7th floor ICU. She passed away just 4 days later. Darren was J's nurse for 3 of the days she was there. He treated J with dignity and respect and was very kind to my family and me. One afternoon, Darren came in with supplies and said he was going to try to wash J's hair after her EEG electrodes were removed. I know this isn't something that was a priority or needed to be done. However, Darren was going to take the time to do this for her. My sister was a beautiful woman who took care of how she looked. I think Darren could see this and knew how much J would have appreciated this. Such a simple gesture, but it showed that he recognized her as a person, not just a patient. Darren took the time to answer our questions, always in a calm manner. He remained positive and always encouraged our presence there. He listened to us tell small details about J and her life; always patient with us as we reminisced, smiling with us as we shared happy stories about her.
Shortly after receiving the news that J had passed away, I ran into Darren on the way to see my sister one last time. He wasn't her nurse that day but stopped to give me a hug and tell me that he was sorry.
Thank you, Darren, for taking care of our J during her last days. The connection you made with all of us shows what a good nurse and person you are.