February 2024
Joshua
Van Meerbeke
,
RN
ICU
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health-St. Clare Hospital
Lakewood
,
WA
United States
Joshua pulled up a chair and took the time to talk to the patient and listen to how she was feeling.
This nurse was caring for a patient who had been extubated after being intubated for almost a week. The patient was delirious and scared, thinking that she had been kidnapped and held hostage. Joshua pulled up a chair and took the time to talk to the patient and listen to how she was feeling. Joshua continued to take the time to reorient the patient and erase her fears. She was suspicious of him, but he continued to comfort the patient, going so far as emptying his pockets and showing her all his supplies, as well as explaining everything he was doing and why. Joshua shows compassion in all his patient interactions even when he is busy, behind on charting, or dealing with a difficult patient.