Jennifer Dittmer
November 2018
Jennifer
Dittmer
,
RN BSN
Cardiology
Washington Regional Medical Center
Fayetteville
,
AR
United States
Last week, I was humbled to be unexpectedly admitted to WRMC. I was brought by ambulance to the ER early in the morning. In all my years, I have never ridden in an ambulance for an emergency. I was rushed to the hospital after a casual stop at the Med Express for what I believe to be pneumonia. To my dismay, it seemed that my heart was doing the "Zumba" without my consent! I was in full AFIB. When asked how long I had been in AFIB, I stated simply - "Well, I guess five minutes," as I had no clue what was happening or what AFIB implied." I was quickly introduced to unfamiliar words, medicines, procedure, and quite honestly, it was a little intimidating. Although I was not afraid, everything was moving very, very quickly. I soon learned that I would be staying the night on the third floor of the Walker Cardiac Wing of the hospital. Really??? I had been out walking earlier that morning, and now I am on my back in the hospital experiencing heart trouble!!!
Three evenings, I was blessed to meet my night RN, Jennifer (Jenny) Dittmer. Cutest little thing…what an angel she was. She was so kind. In three short days, Jenny became my friend, my confidante, my encourager and the skilled clinical technician who take over my care. What made her different? First, her sweet smile was infectious! Given freely and often, she would pop into the room with a smile and her presence was always welcome. Sometimes she simply opened the door and gave me a "thumbs up"! A short display to show she cared and she was gone. She never bustled about but would walk and talk calmly as she went about her duties. She quieted me when she checked my heart rate, my vitals. She never hurried around but took her time to look at me, see me, relate to me.
Then, there was her calm, sweet spirit. The mother of four girls, I would learn, knew that she was ministering to my soul. She could sense my apprehension as information and procedures were introduced. So, I would keep a list of questions. I needed to know more. As a teacher, I wanted to investigate and feel certain that I was making wise decisions about my care. Jenny took the time…time and again…to answer questions, to explain the verbiage, to explain the routine, to reassure me that these procedures were done every day. She was my sage advisor. Although I did not look as though I was anxious, the worry was new to me, and I needed Jenny in my corner.
Next, there was the SKILL. Wow, Jenny is a nurse with so much clinical expertise. I had two nurses attempt to place IVs in my old, paper-thin arms only to have four veins collapse. I was bruised and uncomfortable. That is when Jenny stepped in to insert a new IV. She removed the poor IV. She worked carefully, methodically, never giving up, until she got a great access for the new tube. This IV was able to carry me through the last three days without a single problem. What a blessing!!
Lastly, I am a pretty tough lady, and I was feeling confident and optimistic when my doctor explained that I would have a cardioversion to try to get my heart back into a safe rhythm. I was excited and ready to move into the next phase of "feeling better." The procedure was done that afternoon. When I awoke in the room, the doctor explained that the procedure had not worked. He quickly left the room. I was "crushed." What next, what about a stroke, what if my heart does not convert to "normal", more and more. I was alone and for the first time shaken. Jenny stepped into the room to check vitals. My tears flowed. She smiled, put away the machines, sat down. She listened. She talked. She reassured. She answered the questions. I am not a crier…have never been, but at that moment, I needed Jenny. I needed her strength, her courage, her honesty, I needed HER! And, she was there.
So now, with a heart rate in order, the AFIB addressed, I sit at my home, feeling better every day. I am grateful beyond words that I met Jenny, and she was in my room last week when the world began to unravel for me. I nominate her for the DAISY Award, because I know in my "dancing" heart, that Jenny is there for every single patient she encounters. She is the nurse that brings her "Service Above Self" every day to the hospital that she calls home. I cannot express the gratitude for this compassionate servant. Please know that she will always have my heartfelt love and appreciation.
Three evenings, I was blessed to meet my night RN, Jennifer (Jenny) Dittmer. Cutest little thing…what an angel she was. She was so kind. In three short days, Jenny became my friend, my confidante, my encourager and the skilled clinical technician who take over my care. What made her different? First, her sweet smile was infectious! Given freely and often, she would pop into the room with a smile and her presence was always welcome. Sometimes she simply opened the door and gave me a "thumbs up"! A short display to show she cared and she was gone. She never bustled about but would walk and talk calmly as she went about her duties. She quieted me when she checked my heart rate, my vitals. She never hurried around but took her time to look at me, see me, relate to me.
Then, there was her calm, sweet spirit. The mother of four girls, I would learn, knew that she was ministering to my soul. She could sense my apprehension as information and procedures were introduced. So, I would keep a list of questions. I needed to know more. As a teacher, I wanted to investigate and feel certain that I was making wise decisions about my care. Jenny took the time…time and again…to answer questions, to explain the verbiage, to explain the routine, to reassure me that these procedures were done every day. She was my sage advisor. Although I did not look as though I was anxious, the worry was new to me, and I needed Jenny in my corner.
Next, there was the SKILL. Wow, Jenny is a nurse with so much clinical expertise. I had two nurses attempt to place IVs in my old, paper-thin arms only to have four veins collapse. I was bruised and uncomfortable. That is when Jenny stepped in to insert a new IV. She removed the poor IV. She worked carefully, methodically, never giving up, until she got a great access for the new tube. This IV was able to carry me through the last three days without a single problem. What a blessing!!
Lastly, I am a pretty tough lady, and I was feeling confident and optimistic when my doctor explained that I would have a cardioversion to try to get my heart back into a safe rhythm. I was excited and ready to move into the next phase of "feeling better." The procedure was done that afternoon. When I awoke in the room, the doctor explained that the procedure had not worked. He quickly left the room. I was "crushed." What next, what about a stroke, what if my heart does not convert to "normal", more and more. I was alone and for the first time shaken. Jenny stepped into the room to check vitals. My tears flowed. She smiled, put away the machines, sat down. She listened. She talked. She reassured. She answered the questions. I am not a crier…have never been, but at that moment, I needed Jenny. I needed her strength, her courage, her honesty, I needed HER! And, she was there.
So now, with a heart rate in order, the AFIB addressed, I sit at my home, feeling better every day. I am grateful beyond words that I met Jenny, and she was in my room last week when the world began to unravel for me. I nominate her for the DAISY Award, because I know in my "dancing" heart, that Jenny is there for every single patient she encounters. She is the nurse that brings her "Service Above Self" every day to the hospital that she calls home. I cannot express the gratitude for this compassionate servant. Please know that she will always have my heartfelt love and appreciation.