Kelly Strickland
July 2014
Kelly
Strickland
,
BSN, RN
Main Post Anesthesia Care Unit
Morristown Medical Center
Morristown
,
NJ
United States
We all experience adversity from everyday changes and challenges, fortunately as nurses we are able to adapt. Ever since I met Kelly Strickland, she has demonstrated all of our organization's professional standards, our shared values.
A couple of months ago, a pediatric patient (1- 2 years old) arrived in our unit from an MRI of the brain. We are used to taking care of these patients although this situation comes close to home. We usually call parents in to see the patient immediately afterward so that they will feel comforted with familiar faces. The patient's mother asked Kelly about the results of the test saying, "I have a gut instinct that the results will be bad.". Kelly, knowing that the results demonstrated a stage IV brain tumor just maintained her composure and reassured the family. I watched and listened to Kelly while she spoke to the mother. I, as a mother myself felt how Kelly was feeling, having two babies of her own. Kelly continued to attend to the patient as well as the family members.
While waiting for the physician, the mother stated that she couldn't handle the pressure and stress so she had to leave the patient. The patient's father stayed at the bedside. Kelly respected the decision of the family members without being judgmental.
The physician arrived and sat down with the father in the nurses station to show him the results of the MRI. While Kelly cared for the patient, she was also listening to the conversation. I watched the father's reaction and stayed to support the response as the physician revealed the results. The father, of course, was very upset, but held onto his tears. The Nurse-patient relationship is the core of our care delivery process within our healing environment. This relationship involves our recognition and respect for each and every patient and family as unique individuals. We treat them with compassion, empathy and understanding. Every patient is entitled to individualized comprehensive quality nursing care which considers physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs that extends beyond the patient and family.
Another hour passed. The mother returned to bedside with the father. Kelly stood there while attending to the patient consoling the tearful mother and insisting on skipping a break to stay with family members. I know Kelly was feeling empathy with their awful crisis.
As soon as the patient was admitted to the inpatient unit, Kelly left the area and broke down in tears saying, "I just want to hug my children.". We hugged. We remembered that the DAISY award is awarded to compassionate care as opposed to being rewarded for a new degree or academic achievement. It is special and reminds us that nurses are resilient. The joy, heartache and incredible resilience have amazed me with Kelly again and again.
A couple of months ago, a pediatric patient (1- 2 years old) arrived in our unit from an MRI of the brain. We are used to taking care of these patients although this situation comes close to home. We usually call parents in to see the patient immediately afterward so that they will feel comforted with familiar faces. The patient's mother asked Kelly about the results of the test saying, "I have a gut instinct that the results will be bad.". Kelly, knowing that the results demonstrated a stage IV brain tumor just maintained her composure and reassured the family. I watched and listened to Kelly while she spoke to the mother. I, as a mother myself felt how Kelly was feeling, having two babies of her own. Kelly continued to attend to the patient as well as the family members.
While waiting for the physician, the mother stated that she couldn't handle the pressure and stress so she had to leave the patient. The patient's father stayed at the bedside. Kelly respected the decision of the family members without being judgmental.
The physician arrived and sat down with the father in the nurses station to show him the results of the MRI. While Kelly cared for the patient, she was also listening to the conversation. I watched the father's reaction and stayed to support the response as the physician revealed the results. The father, of course, was very upset, but held onto his tears. The Nurse-patient relationship is the core of our care delivery process within our healing environment. This relationship involves our recognition and respect for each and every patient and family as unique individuals. We treat them with compassion, empathy and understanding. Every patient is entitled to individualized comprehensive quality nursing care which considers physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs that extends beyond the patient and family.
Another hour passed. The mother returned to bedside with the father. Kelly stood there while attending to the patient consoling the tearful mother and insisting on skipping a break to stay with family members. I know Kelly was feeling empathy with their awful crisis.
As soon as the patient was admitted to the inpatient unit, Kelly left the area and broke down in tears saying, "I just want to hug my children.". We hugged. We remembered that the DAISY award is awarded to compassionate care as opposed to being rewarded for a new degree or academic achievement. It is special and reminds us that nurses are resilient. The joy, heartache and incredible resilience have amazed me with Kelly again and again.