August 2021
Julie
Kirk
,
RN
Tower 8 Med/Surg Unit
PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center
Vancouver
,
WA
United States
Julie shows patients, no matter the case, true compassionate care.
Julie was covering Tower 7 when she needed to round on a difficult patient. This patient was medically not stable and suffering from substance abuse. Julie provided the "tough love" approach to this patient. Apparently, this was effective and the patient came back months later and wanted to say thank you. Due to current visitor restrictions, this previous patient was not allowed to come into the hospital. Instead, the patient wrote a long note on multiple post-it notes (I wish I could add a picture) at the front entrance and asked that it be given to Julie. Here is what the note said, "Julie this is (patient X). I was a patient of yours. I just wanted to say thank you. You inspired me to do what I'm doing. I've been clean and sober for 8 months now. I eventually ended up losing my leg. I just got my CNA certification. I just got a job and everything is going great in my life. I just wanted to say thank you. I always think about how you helped me as a patient. It was truly inspiring. I'm starting nursing school in 6 months. You can contact me anytime. My number is xxx-xxx-xxxx. I would love to hear from you. If you don't remember me. I was the one who knew max maw (?) and was yelling a lot when I was a patient, lol, sorry about that." Not only did Julie remember the patient but was planning on reaching out to them. This is just another inspiring way that Julie shows patients, no matter the case, true compassionate care. As a nurse leader, Julie is the standard we should all follow in providing compassionate care to all of our patients.