We are blessed to have many amazing nurses and patient care techs at NFRMC who provide compassionate care every day. Jessica Shimmel is one of our amazing caring and compassionate nurses who come to work every day with a love for her patients and a commitment to provide them the absolute best care. However, Jessica's compassion and care for one of our long term patients go above and beyond in exceeding expectations.
This is a younger patient who has been in our hospital for 15 months - with the last 6 months being on Ortho after transferring to us at the beginning of the first COVID wave. L was admitted in May of 2019 for a stroke that has left her with limited mobility and a chronic trach. She is unable to speak and her nutrition is managed with tube feedings through her G-tube. As you can see, L is a complex, total care patient and requires a lot of nursing care. It is not uncommon to see our long term, complex care patients are assigned to whoever's turn is next; but Jessica has made it her mission to take L as one of her patients when she is working.
Jessica enjoys bringing L surprises such as new nail polish, body lotion, or other personal touch items. She also shampoos L's hair at least once a week, sometimes staying after her shift to wash it just the way L likes and will braid her hair frequently to keep it from becoming matted and tangled. Jessica works with L to help her paint her fingernails and will paint the ones L can't do - she also knows that L's feet are very ticklish. Recognizing that L's room is currently her "home" for now - Jessica has decorated her room to make it more personal and less institutional.
L's birthday was in June - and Jessica was committed to seeing that L was celebrated on her special day. L has no family and the few visitors who used to come have not been up to see her because of COVID. Jessica coordinated birthday cards, gifts, balloons, and lots of joy for her favorite patient's birthday including a midnight chorus of "Happy Birthday" from the team.
We encourage our nurses to personalize their care and to get to know their patients on a personal level. Jessica noticed L was wearing glasses in one of her pictures, but she had never seen L with glasses here; so she asked her about it. L said she does wear glasses, but hers were lost during one of the many transfers within the hospital. One night, as she was helping L with her phone, Jessica noticed one of her contacts was the Walmart Eye Center in Lake City. On her day off, Jessica called the Lake City Walmart. The prescription was still valid and Jessica had a new pair of prescription glasses made for L which she paid for with her own money. This was an act of pure kindness and generosity for her patient - Jessica did this quietly, on her own, and did so without expecting anything in return.
L is with us because of many factors that have made long term placement extremely complicated.
As I talked with Jessica about her special connection with L - she became tearful and said: "If I could take her home with me, I would - but I can't." I have no doubt that she would absolutely do so if it were possible.
A night charge nurse said: "I feel that Jessica's actions have encouraged other staff members to see L as a person and not just a patient." Wow - an amazing role model for all! It is an honor to have Jessica on our team and she is a true DAIY Nurse.