On a typical day in the Surgical ICU, we are tasked with the care of the sickest patients in the hospital. We work diligently in saving lives and watching miracles unfold every single day. Without a doubt, we perform under pressure while multi-tasking high acuity patients and never missing a beat. There are also those times where we see the most fragile states of our patients.
Recently, I sat in amazement as I watched Janna's compassion for her patient during his most vulnerable moment. This will be forever etched in my heart. As she was following through with a withdrawal of care for this patient, she began to pray for him. She researched through his chart to see what religion he was and when she found that there was none selected, she chose to play calming music on her personal phone at his bedside. As he remained unresponsive, she began to make adjustments to his room to put him at ease during this transition. As his final moments began to unfold behind closed doors, she stood at the bedside with soft music playing in the distance. No shared religion, no known common interests, no fame or recognition, and nothing to gain- she shared her heart in the simplest way. As he began to decline, he took his last breath with dignity, while his nurse held his hand in an otherwise empty room.
It's Janna's love and respect for her patients' lives and compassion for all patients that makes her a cut above the rest. She gives her best efforts without a second thought because that's what her patients deserve. I am proud to nurse beside her. What a blessing she is to her patients and her fellow nurses!