I am writing this nomination regarding an all-around extraordinary nurse. Glemel has served as a beacon shining her light to others in the unit. She has given of herself time and time again so that others may succeed. As a preceptor to new hires or Versant residents, she teaches and guides them to practice at a competent and professional level. As her charge nurse, I know her to be a dynamic and enthusiastic team player. When she is not scheduled to work on the floor, she displays her professional commitment and engagement by participating in Shared Governance and Wound Care Champions. Through her endeavors and assertiveness to grow as a patient advocate and increase team collaboration, she has become the glue that holds us together.
As for the art of healing, she projects a loving and bright presence towards patients. I have witnessed how she touches these lives when they are at their most vulnerable. One particular situation that I would like to share defines this image I am attempting to describe. She was assigned to care for a patient, who by all accounts probably hated every doctor and nurse he came in contact with. From the words of the patient himself to this nurse, he felt unwanted and that no one cared about him. When it became difficult to gain placement for him at a skilled nursing facility because we were anticipating his discharge from the hospital, the patient's interpretation of this was a confirmation to him of his feelings. He was clearly angry and mistrusted those around him.
Despite this, Glemel stuck to her resolve and showed unflinching compassion. Due to his condition, his mobility was limited, and was very dependent on the assistance of the nursing staff. Under this nurse's care, he did not have to tell her what he needed, she just naturally made sure that all the little things that you and I take for granted but were monumental for him, were taken care of. In the busyness of juggling very sick patients, sometimes that intentionality gets lost. She communicated her compassion not just in words but in each of her actions towards him. And you know what? He finally let his guard down. His tone went from "Yea, what do you want?" to heartfelt words of appreciation. He told her that he felt that she was the only one who really listened to him and made him feel that he was worthy of attention.
Through Glemel's endeavors, the patient became more compliant with his care plan and more open to staff. From my point of view, this was some sort of miracle as numerous staff had tried to care for him and naturally became frustrated. This nurse could have done the same, but she refused to give up. Instead, she saw past the negativity and grasped the reality, which was that he was a person who was vulnerable and had absolutely no control over his current situation. She went above and beyond to show him, in everything she said and everything she did, that she was his partner and advocate in his journey to gain back some of this control. She is a shining example of what it truly means to be a nurse. It is a privilege to know her, and I know she will continue to inspire us for years to come.