Francie Elzinga
October 2024
Francie
Elzinga
,
RN
NICU
Ascension St. Vincent Women & Infants Hospital
Indianapolis
,
IN
United States
Francie perfectly demonstrated what it means to be professional, dedicated, sensitive, and a genuine nurse, co-worker, friend, and person not only that weekend but also these past few months.
I have had the honor of sharing a primary patient with Francie for the past 6 months. Francie is on the night shift, and I am on the days. I always felt so reassured leaving at the end of the shift when Francie was there at night and felt so grateful to see her smiling face at 0700 when I would come back in for my shift. Since our patient's parents lived 3+ hours away, we became her "mothers" in a way - each taking our turns. The way Francie loved our girl was evident not only in the way she cared for her as a nurse but also as a human being - buying her bows and clothes and washing her laundry when no one else could.
A few weeks ago, things took a turn for the worse, and it was ultimately decided that a compassionate extubation was the best choice for our patient. I was working the weekend shift, and when Francie found out, she had dropped her entire weekend plans to be there. This was not expected of her at all but rather something she did out of the goodness of her heart. She came in, and together, we cared for our girl in her final moments. I truly would not have been able to do it without her, as it took all hands on deck. This was also a unique situation as our patient was an organ donor candidate - something that we do not experience a lot in the NICU. Francie stayed not only by our patient's side but also by mine throughout the whole process. We cried (a lot), we hugged, and even found a few moments to laugh together. Not only will I always remember that day because of our girl and her unique situation, but also because of who was there with me and by my side the entire ride.
I am leaving the NICU soon to begin my career as a nurse practitioner. I have so many fond memories of my time here in the NICU and the patients and families I have cared for. Additionally, I have so many fond memories of my coworkers who make this place all that it is. Francie perfectly demonstrated what it means to be professional, dedicated, sensitive, and a genuine nurse, co-worker, friend, and person not only that weekend but also these past few months. It will be hard to say goodbye to this place because of people like Francie, but I leave knowing that because of people like her, our patients and their families are in the most compassionate hands.
A few weeks ago, things took a turn for the worse, and it was ultimately decided that a compassionate extubation was the best choice for our patient. I was working the weekend shift, and when Francie found out, she had dropped her entire weekend plans to be there. This was not expected of her at all but rather something she did out of the goodness of her heart. She came in, and together, we cared for our girl in her final moments. I truly would not have been able to do it without her, as it took all hands on deck. This was also a unique situation as our patient was an organ donor candidate - something that we do not experience a lot in the NICU. Francie stayed not only by our patient's side but also by mine throughout the whole process. We cried (a lot), we hugged, and even found a few moments to laugh together. Not only will I always remember that day because of our girl and her unique situation, but also because of who was there with me and by my side the entire ride.
I am leaving the NICU soon to begin my career as a nurse practitioner. I have so many fond memories of my time here in the NICU and the patients and families I have cared for. Additionally, I have so many fond memories of my coworkers who make this place all that it is. Francie perfectly demonstrated what it means to be professional, dedicated, sensitive, and a genuine nurse, co-worker, friend, and person not only that weekend but also these past few months. It will be hard to say goodbye to this place because of people like Francie, but I leave knowing that because of people like her, our patients and their families are in the most compassionate hands.