February 2023
Heather
Nading
,
RN
3MS
Mercy Hospital Joplin
Joplin
,
MO
United States
I overheard Heather instruct the medical assistants and anyone involved with his care to be very gentle with him because he would be in agonizing pain when you moved him.
Heather was nominated because of her exceptional compassion and care for the well-being of her patient and their family. Heather unselfishly gives of herself, making sure her patients are taken care of. I think we all knew in the back of our minds this outcome may not be a good one unless we get a miracle, but Heather did everything she could to help make this transition as smooth as possible.
X had been admitted over the weekend. Heather comes in on Monday morning, gives him the pain meds we had requested, Heather starts her assessment of his physical needs. She was concerned about the mottling of his legs and his low urine output, so she called the doctor with these concerns. Heather also included me and our families in his care, explaining the medications she was giving and explaining the test and scans the doctors had ordered. Heather was always open to questions. She would take the time to listen and give us an answer.
X had two sisters and a mother that worked in the medical field so they kept everyone on their toes. At times during her shift, Heather would just come and check on him to make sure he was ok. I stayed at the hospital 24 hours a day. One night we had visitors that stayed late, so I missed getting something to eat. I asked Heather for a sandwich and a drink. She brought me strawberries and a granola bar that she had gotten from the cafeteria. Heather was off on Wednesday; due to his diagnosis, I made the decision to put him in hospice after talking with the doctor. On Thursday, Heather was the back-up RN for an LPN taking care of my husband. His whole body was racked with pain and he was receiving morphine every hour. I overheard Heather instruct the medical assistants and anyone involved with his care to be very gentle with him because he would be in agonizing pain when you moved him.
We lost him on Friday evening. I was waiting on family to arrive, and in walks Heather at the end of her shift. I expressed a big "thank you", and a big hug, and a lot of tears were shared. "There are many people that we meet in our lives, but only a few will make a lasting impression on our minds and hearts."
X had been admitted over the weekend. Heather comes in on Monday morning, gives him the pain meds we had requested, Heather starts her assessment of his physical needs. She was concerned about the mottling of his legs and his low urine output, so she called the doctor with these concerns. Heather also included me and our families in his care, explaining the medications she was giving and explaining the test and scans the doctors had ordered. Heather was always open to questions. She would take the time to listen and give us an answer.
X had two sisters and a mother that worked in the medical field so they kept everyone on their toes. At times during her shift, Heather would just come and check on him to make sure he was ok. I stayed at the hospital 24 hours a day. One night we had visitors that stayed late, so I missed getting something to eat. I asked Heather for a sandwich and a drink. She brought me strawberries and a granola bar that she had gotten from the cafeteria. Heather was off on Wednesday; due to his diagnosis, I made the decision to put him in hospice after talking with the doctor. On Thursday, Heather was the back-up RN for an LPN taking care of my husband. His whole body was racked with pain and he was receiving morphine every hour. I overheard Heather instruct the medical assistants and anyone involved with his care to be very gentle with him because he would be in agonizing pain when you moved him.
We lost him on Friday evening. I was waiting on family to arrive, and in walks Heather at the end of her shift. I expressed a big "thank you", and a big hug, and a lot of tears were shared. "There are many people that we meet in our lives, but only a few will make a lasting impression on our minds and hearts."