Grant Schluntz, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Grant Schluntz cared for a patient following a liver transplant. Having endured an extended hospital stay pre-transplant, the patient was experiencing significant delirium. Grant recognized that the patient was not just delirious, but deeply afraid. Acting on instinct and compassion, he pulled a chair up to the bedside, removed the patient's restraints, held his hand, and reassuringly said, "You are safe; you're in the hospital. I am Grant, your nurse, and I'm not going to leave you." The patient squeezed Grant's hand, thanked him, and for the first time in days, closed his eyes and truly rested.

Grant remained at the bedside to finish his charting for the shift. He continually reoriented the patient, gently reminding him that he was safe, where he was, and that he had received the lifesaving gift of a liver transplant. Prior to this, the patient had required restraints and a safety assistant for days. It was Grant’s profound empathy that allowed the patient to feel secure enough to rest and let the delirium begin to clear. The following night went much more smoothly; the safety assistant was discontinued, and the patient's cognitive state continued to improve.

Grant brings a kind, calming, and grounded presence to every situation. Waking up postoperatively confused and disoriented is terrifying, but Grant provides the ultimate safety net. He is an absolute gift to our unit.

Thank you, Grant, for treating every patient like your own family.