Jay Herndon is one of the most selfless nurses we know. He is continually going out of his way to accommodate and assist others. Recently Jay had a patient who was worried that no one was picking up her mail or checking on her house while she was hospitalized. Jay comforted this patient and volunteered to go check on her house. A few days later the patient was ready to be discharged but did not have a ride to get home; on this particular day she was not assigned to be Jay's patient. However, Jay overheard the conversation at the desk regarding how to get the patient home. Again he volunteered to ease her stress and he drove her home.
On many occasions Jay has purchased little necessities like finger nail files and hearing aid batteries for patients.
On a day off Jay brought in a crock pot for a patient's family members to help them out. He treats everyone with the same level of respect and compassion, no matter who they are or what their job status is. He is such an awesome nurse and co-worker.
On another day 4B received a call from a recent patient who was 99 years old; he was concerned that he had left some of his things here. His name was no longer on the admit board. Jay looked for the gentleman's belongings and located them in the soiled utility room. He then took time to look up the patient's location and drove to Maranatha Nursing Facility after his twelve hour shift so the man would have his personal items. It took Jay extra time in his day to locate the man's things, find his location, and then drive there after working all day but he did this for an elderly man that was no longer a patient.
Jay is usually the first nurse to act when things happen on the unit. He will go straight to any bed alarm, IV alarm, or a request for help. He is quick to jump in a situation that may require a nurse's assistance. A perfect example of this happened recently when a student nurse and her instructor requested help:
Jay immediately noted the patient's heart rate had dropped to a very slow rhythm. He obtained a stat EKG, called the doctor and remained calm the entire time. Jay stabilized that patient and managed a potentially emergent situation even though this was not his patient and he wasn't the charge nurse that day. It was simply a request for assistance and he was nearby so he rushed into action. Jay will always take care of an issue; he will ask for help if needed.
We are fortunate to have him on our staff.