September 2020
Jennifer
Bolz
,
BSN, RN, CCRN
Pediatric ICU
Advocate Children's Hospital
Oak Lawn
,
IL
United States
Jen has been a nurse in the PICU for many years. I have always admired how dedicated she is to her patients. Recently, we had a teenage patient with us for an extended amount of time. He very much looked forward to visits from his family, but often those visits didn't happen. Jen went out of her way to show this patient he was thought of and cared about. During his stay in the PICU, Jen had someone come to cut his hair when it was getting long. Jen made sure to advocate for him and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team so that when his time with us was done, he felt more comfortable returning to the long-term care facility. She made sure to involve our social worker in his care, due to his home life, so he was truly cared for physically and mentally. Once he was no longer in the PICU, Jen organized visits to his long-term care facility, so that he would have time to visit with the people who knew him best, his wonderful PICU nurses, and care providers. Jen did not stop there. As the holidays were approaching and knowing he most likely wouldn't get much in the way of gifts from his family, Jen asked him to tell her a few things he liked and wanted and needed. Of course, video games made the list, but simple things like a winter coat, hat, and gloves were things that he asked for too. If there is one thing our unit does exceptionally well, aside from caring for critically ill children, it is coming together when someone is in need. This situation was no different. Although together as a unit, we had already participated in adopt a family, our staff quickly found it in their hearts to give again. With the family's permission, Jen hand-delivered the 20 plus gifts to his house just days before Christmas. The look on his face I am certain matched the joy in both his and Jen's heart. Jen truly made an impact.