What started off as a beautiful day quickly changed for the worst for a dear family in the ER. The charge nurse asked for the ER Director's assistance with a trauma that was soon to arrive. The director, who is a nurse, quickly changed into scrubs and was ready to assist with any need. After a long attempt at resuscitation, this family was soon informed of the tragedy of their 22-year-old son who did not make it.
A CNA soon-to-be nursing student from the ICU heard the news of their friend being brought in and was able to be with the patient's family. The Director accompanied the attending physician with the devastating news. Sitting, crying, and simply being present with the family the nurse/director was asked by the patient's mother, "How does he look?" The nurse without hesitation quickly responded, "Like a beautiful angel." The nurse then stated that she will get him ready so that the family could spend time with him in a viewing room. She asked the CNA from ICU if he would be ok with assisting her cleaning his wound. The CNA assisted the ER nurse in wrapping the wound on his head. The nurse then prepared a clay mold and placed the patient's hand in it, so the mother would forever be able to lay her hand on his.
Later, the family stated they were going to leave, and the nurse informed them that they were waiting on the funeral home and that she would stay with the patient until the funeral home arrived. The husband returned to the family waiting room awhile later to obtain his forgotten wallet to discover that the nurse kept her word and was sitting at the side of his son. Telling his wife, she developed tears of gratefulness and peace that this nurse angel was holding her son and was not left alone.
This angel of a nurse was Karen Schneller and I was the CNA. Compassion, empathy, holding, being present and showing kindness and love are what was shown to this suffering family. It was real. I went back to work before the family left and I knew nothing about the wallet and Karen staying with my friend's son until I was visiting with the mother of the patient a year later and she told me she will never forget how it made her feel knowing her son was not alone at that time. This simple and kind gesture is one thing that made a huge impact that words cannot explain.
Thank you, Karen, for touching so many lives in ways you may never know. Thank you for demonstrating selflessness to so many people. Thank you for being an amazing nurse and witnessing to so many like myself through your gently, heartfelt words and actions. You are a DAISY Nurse.