To me, it is not the big gestures that make nurses special - it is the million little things that add up to make the biggest impact. It is the quiet nurses who go about their day and pay attention to the little things that matter to our patients.
Jason Long is one of the quiet nurses who comes to work on the Med/Surg Unit with a positive attitude and tries to make a difference just by being present. He meets our families where they are and does not pass judgment on the families. Jason has a passion for caring for our oncology patients. He has cared for some of our toughest situations and has conducted himself professionally, but also with an open heart and a kind demeanor. He allows our families to be present with their child on their daily journey and is present with some families through the anguish of losing their child.
Recently, Jason cared for a difficult behavioral health patient and he was amazing. Jason was patient and kind and despite the patient being aggressive, Jason stayed calm, remained physically and emotionally present with the child and mother. I was truly in awe of his ability to calm this child, keep the child and staff safe and minimized the use of medications and other measures.
Jason will never toot his own horn and will be first to recognize his colleagues for a job well done. It is time to recognize Jason for a wonderful job he does with our families during their most difficult moments.