August 2020
Jeraldine
Laope-DeVega
,
RN, MSN, CCRN
Bay Pines VAMC - MICU
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System
Jhie never gets ruffled with the hectic situation.
In this tragic, emotional, deadly time of the year, I have never been devastated. I know as health care workers we are not only on the frontline but on a battlefield. As I bravely was battling COVID-19 daily, I have to rely on Teamwork, Communication, and Compassion to protect and care for our veterans. I have the honor of working with Jeraldine Laope-DeVega better known as Jhie during this coronavirus pandemic in MICU. She is a rock-solid bedside nurse with superb skills and a very able Charge Nurse.
I want to recognize her compassion and dedication to our first COVID patient. She calculates every move and is always ahead of the game. Last week she urged our MICU doctor to retest the patient so he can proceed with his surgery (Tracheostomy and Peg tube placement), once the test is negative. Luckily, the result came back negative not once but twice. Jhie quietly went above her Charge Nurse duty and decided to move the patient to a bigger room. Not only do the staff have more space to work with, but the patient also has a sacral wound which can heal faster now that he's finally on a special bed. Most importantly, the patient can have a glimpse of the outside world by looking through the windows after spending almost 8 weeks in that tiny, isolated room. Thanks to Jhie! I am sure the patient and his family are grateful and happy.
The day of the surgery came and as the Primary Nurse, I witnessed how Jhie handles the surgeon, maneuvering them through these tense times. The surgeon was reluctant to perform the surgery, so many excuses from blood products be given in a certain time, patient instability to travel to O.R. But Jhie never gets ruffled with the hectic situation.
She was quick on her feet, even-tempered with the doctor, very firm and clear when she told him, "We will deliver, it will be done in time." This is not something easily accomplished especially on that day. To make things complicated, the surgery has to be done in the patient's room. Thank God for Jhie's anticipation of uneventful circumstances that the patient was transferred to a much spacious room that can accommodate the makeshift O.R. The surgery was done successfully.
Jhie has a special heart for this organization, her peers, and most especially for our veterans. She gives them the utmost Dignity, Humanity, and Compassion in whatever condition they are in. I think she is the absolute epitome of a DAISY Nurse, so well rounded, well-seasoned and so strong in her skills. I think nursing chooses us and nursing definitely chosen this nurse as one of its most special.
I want to recognize her compassion and dedication to our first COVID patient. She calculates every move and is always ahead of the game. Last week she urged our MICU doctor to retest the patient so he can proceed with his surgery (Tracheostomy and Peg tube placement), once the test is negative. Luckily, the result came back negative not once but twice. Jhie quietly went above her Charge Nurse duty and decided to move the patient to a bigger room. Not only do the staff have more space to work with, but the patient also has a sacral wound which can heal faster now that he's finally on a special bed. Most importantly, the patient can have a glimpse of the outside world by looking through the windows after spending almost 8 weeks in that tiny, isolated room. Thanks to Jhie! I am sure the patient and his family are grateful and happy.
The day of the surgery came and as the Primary Nurse, I witnessed how Jhie handles the surgeon, maneuvering them through these tense times. The surgeon was reluctant to perform the surgery, so many excuses from blood products be given in a certain time, patient instability to travel to O.R. But Jhie never gets ruffled with the hectic situation.
She was quick on her feet, even-tempered with the doctor, very firm and clear when she told him, "We will deliver, it will be done in time." This is not something easily accomplished especially on that day. To make things complicated, the surgery has to be done in the patient's room. Thank God for Jhie's anticipation of uneventful circumstances that the patient was transferred to a much spacious room that can accommodate the makeshift O.R. The surgery was done successfully.
Jhie has a special heart for this organization, her peers, and most especially for our veterans. She gives them the utmost Dignity, Humanity, and Compassion in whatever condition they are in. I think she is the absolute epitome of a DAISY Nurse, so well rounded, well-seasoned and so strong in her skills. I think nursing chooses us and nursing definitely chosen this nurse as one of its most special.