Role Model Compassionate Care: Jen is the definition of compassionate care. Whether she is the acting charge nurse, resource, bedside leader, or precepting, she wholeheartedly pours herself into every role. She showers patients and their families with kindness, patience, honesty, and genuine love. She easily develops an authentic rapport with those she is caring for. She provides exceptional and personalized care. In learning the nuances of her patients, she gives them that little ‘extra’ that defines extraordinary care.

Jen is also the champion of our Sunshine Club which could not be more fitting. The Sunshine Club is a committee that oversees celebrating milestone events for our staff. Jen also incorporates a ‘kudos’ board with varying themes each month. This is where staff can write shout-outs to each other for exceptional teamwork or appreciation. She is enthusiastic and dedicated to the work we do in the Pediatric ICU/ Pediatric Cardiac ICU.

Special Connection: An example of Jen providing compassionate care and building a special connection with a patient and their family is when she cared for a 2-year-old little girl who was failing a bone marrow transplant. Jen made it a priority to know the little girl's favorite things, which stuffed animal and blanket she needed for comfort, the movies she liked to listen to, and how she liked to have her forehead rubbed to put her back to sleep. This was a patient who was physically, emotionally, and mentally draining to care for. In caring for her so much, Jen was able to incorporate her personal preferences while anticipating the clinical changes that were constantly happening. The mother, who was also experiencing emotional strain as she watched her little girl slowly slip away, found comfort when Jen walked into the room to care for her. Mom often would ask if Jen was on and if she could care for her daughter. There’s no higher compliment than when a parent asks for you to care for their precious child. Unfortunately, this child did not make it in the end, however, the mother continued to sing Jen’s praises. It is undeniable that Jen made a special connection with this mother.

Significant Difference: As healthcare providers, it is easy to overlook how our typical workday is not necessarily a typical day for our patients and their families. Whether it is a chronic illness or unexpected acute diagnosis, every time we encounter our patients, we have the unique opportunity to make a positive impact. We become part of their story. Jen has made a significant difference in so many lives over the years she has worked here in the PICU/PCICU.

Recently, Jen was caring for a newborn patient with a congenital heart defect. She cared for them after they underwent open heart surgery, taking precise care of the patient and reassuring and educating the family every step of the way. Shortly after surgery, this patient experienced several unfortunate complications. Jen made it a priority to arrange her schedule and be present on the day that the family decided to withdraw care. It was important to this family that she was there for them since she had been caring for them through many of the ‘risky’ days leading up to this decision.