Words cannot really describe the wonderful nurse and team member Katie Randolph is. She truly displays our mission and values each and every day. When she is pulled to another unit they always try to keep her! She is always cheerful and smiling, helping a patient or lending a hand to another team member.
There has been a 24 year old patient on the unit for the past few weeks that has slowly gotten worse with no hope to improve. Katie has been her nurse many shifts and has become very close with the patient and family. The patient’s parents have struggled with their daughter’s illness and the possibility that she may not recover. As the weeks went on the patient continued to decline and eventually met brain death criteria. Today they finally had to let their daughter go. Katie again was the nurse. I’m sure when she got out of bed this morning she had no idea of the day she would be facing.
This was the first time Katie had been faced with this situation in her 2 years of working on 3 North. I knew when I saw who was assigned this patient today that the family would be wrapped in her compassionate care. Katie gave them her undivided attention, explained everything and ensured things happened as smoothly as possible. Working closely with the doctor they were able to provide a dignified ending for the patient and help the family cope with their loss. Katie shared her emotions and care without any reservation.
She attended the visitation to the surprise of the family and truly showed how much she cared about their daughter and about them. I’m sure the family will never forget her. I’m so proud to have her on my team and feel she is extremely worthy of the DAISY Award.