There was a patient on our floor with severe psychiatric and drug abuse issues. No one really wanted to take care of her because she could be difficult, especially when she felt overwhelmed. She required a sitter because she was a flight and fall risk. The sitter was positioned outside of the patient's door, so the patient would not be upset. On the night Debbie was assigned to care for this patient she established a kind rapport.
At 0330 a social worker came to visit the patient from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Her visit caused the patient to become EXTREMELY agitated. She was screaming, crying and threatening to leave the hospital without her pants on (she could not remember where she left them). Debbie went into the room and calmed her down, soothing her and convincing her to stay. The sitter and the social worker from DCFS were impressed with the way Debbie handled the situation. Debbie even received a hug from the patient. This tells you the type of nurse that Debbie is.