I think I have a tendency to hold nurses to a higher standard than some of my peers. Because we have such an important impact on our patient's lives during some of their most stressful life events, it's imperative to take our position seriously. Every so often I come across a nurse that reminds me just how impactful our job can be and inspires me to do better. The majority of the time these nurses have far more experience or training than I do. Then I met Garrett Straube.
Garrett started in the ED as a new grad two years ago. He was young, eager and willing to learn whatever we were willing to teach him. When someone needed to step up to a challenge, he was always willing and able. He began to take charge and did it better than some nurses with far more experience. He has stepped up to take on roles to improve the department life pediatric champion. He is willing to stay late or come in on his day off to help when there are staffing issues. Garrett is easy going and helpful, rarely complains and is a true team player. All of the things you look for in a coworker, he seems to possess with ease.
The attribute that I find that stands out the most in Garrett is his compassion for his patients. He is always caring and friendly while remaining professional. He shows the right amount of anxiety if a patient starts to go bad while remaining confident and calm at the bedside and is willing to advocate for his patient when necessary. I've always been impressed with Garrett, but the interaction I witnessed yesterday with his scared and anxious patient inspired me.
A woman came into the ED after having a life-threatening arrhythmia in the field. She had a recent fight with her landlord and was concerned that she was going to be evicted. She remained anxious and upset during her stay in the ED and I was told she was a difficult patient to deal with. When it came time for admission, she told the hospitalist she was not going to ICU. She revealed that her daughter had recently passed away and she didn't want her children, who had just lost their sister, to be upset when they found out their mother was in ICU.
I went in to speak with the patient and explain the need for her to be admitted to ICU but she continued to refuse. She went so far as to state that if she was going to have to go there, she would leave against medical advice. Garrett came into the room and while explaining the importance as well, he was able to identify with her. He realized how anxious she was, started to joke around with her and quickly revealed they had a common interest: football. Even though he had other patients, Garrett spent over 30 minutes at the patient's bedside discussing her risks and comparing it to football stats, players, and coaches, ultimately gaining her trust. She finally relented and agreed to be admitted to ICU only with Garrett's blessing.
ED nurses commonly find themselves in situations where they are redirecting anxious patients or explaining the risks and benefits of a medical decision. What made this situation so special? This patient was in a life-threatening situation. Multiple people with far more experience including the previous bedside RN, the charge nurse, the ED physician, the hospitalist and myself all attempted to identify with the patient and explain the magnitude of her illness. Garrett was the one that was able to gain her trust and help direct her care. He has a gift.