J.D. Carter, BSN, RN

I want to commend J.D. Carter because of his dedication to patient care that goes above and beyond the standard.

In our ICU, there was a complex, chronically ill patient recently re-hospitalized with oxygen needs. The patient remained in ICU care for longer than a week and needed intensive rehabilitation efforts to maintain strength and cognitive abilities to prepare for discharge. The patient was dedicated to their plan of care; however, the barrier to this plan was severe light sensitivity triggering intense migraines with aura. The patient was afraid to walk in the brightly lit hallway on a trach mask, fearing the lights would trigger a migraine and vision issues; he would fall, and the healing process would be delayed. J.D. said, “No problem, we can make this work and keep you on track with your activity goals." He then constructed tinted lens glasses out of clean supplies on the unit to give the patient the ability to walk under bright lights with light protection.

I was there the first day he ambulated in the hallway after days of not being able to, and I can attest the patient was ecstatic, smiling ear-to-ear, and sincerely grateful for the above-and-beyond efforts of his nurse, J.D. The next day, the patient was able to acquire some sunglasses from home to continue his walks to qualify for discharge, but I was so proud and humbled to witness the patient-first care that J.D. provided. I truly feel he motivated this patient and empowered him to continue to participate in his care plan through creativity, kindness, and dedication to individualized care.

It's these exemplary qualities that show up every single day I work with J.D.