Ken Wader
November 2024
Ken
Wader
,
RN
ER
Medical Solutions
Lewes
,
DE
United States
The compassion this nurse showed going forward was an amazing sight to witness.
I want to start by saying that this DAISY Award nomination does not come from one single individual but from a group of nurses who have the privilege of working with this amazingly compassionate, caring, and empathetic nurse, Ken Wader, on a daily basis. You would never know that he did not become a nurse until later in his life after losing a daughter at the age of three months old. You also would never know that he suffered a traumatic fall that left him without use of his left arm for over 2 1/2 years, or how he fought against the odds just so he could regain the use of his arm to come back to do the job that he loves more than anything and has so much passion for.
The first day we met him, we could instantly tell that he loved and cared about his job and everybody he took care of. His willingness to step in and help other nurses and his love for his job is unparalleled. But what sets this nurse apart is the kindness and compassion that he shows to every one of his patients on a daily basis. He makes it his priority to meet and exceed his patients’ needs and their family’s needs. He consistently tries to gain the highest degree of understanding about their situation and shows unparalleled compassion during the toughest times of their lives. Its as if he treats each one of his patients like it were his own family member, and although we have witnessed his kindness and his unparalleled compassion for his patients on a daily basis, one day recently, he took his compassion and love for his patient and family to a level worthy of this DAISY Award Nomination.
After receiving his room assignments on this day, he received his first patient. He learned from the triage note that the patient came to the ER after having some difficulty with his memory while at a grocery store checkout. After talking with the patient and assessing the patient, he at once initiated a stroke protocol workup. Although the patient was alert and oriented, he had significant issues with his short-term memory. The patient was visibly upset and was very scared as he was visiting from out of town and was house-sitting for a friend and taking care of their cats. The compassion this nurse showed going forward was an amazing sight to witness. After calming the patient down and letting him know that he was there for him and would do anything he could to help, he was able to help locate the number for the person the patient was house-sitting for and notify them that he was in the hospital and that he would not be able to continue to take care of the cats.
What happened next for the patient was devastating. After a very thorough workup, it was decided that the patient had an exceptionally large brain tumor that was causing the memory issue. This nurse stayed with the patient and compassionately helped him work through the initial shock, and then began to inquire about the patient’s family, trying to find someone to come to the hospital to be with the patient. After finding out that he would be transferred to another hospital, the patient became genuinely concerned about his car and other personal items. The nurse took the time to find the patient's car in the parking lot and retrieve the personal items from it, then arranged and met with the person who took his car and would drive it back to his house for him. When the nurse inquired about family the patient began crying saying he had a daughter, but he hadn't talked to her in over a month, they used to have a very close relationship, but it seemed to fall apart in the last month. He further said that he had a sister, but he had not heard from her in a while either. With the permission of the patient, the nurse called the daughter and explained to the daughter about her father. The daughter verified that they were close, but she had not heard from him in over a month and now she knew why, and she began crying on the phone. The nurse further, with the patient's permission, reached out to the patient's sister and explained the situation to her. The nurse continued to stay in contact with the family and update them as the transfer plans were made. The nurse then communicated with the daughter and sister to help arrange logistical support and help for them to be united with him at the transfer destination. Finally, he followed up daily with family members, checking on the patient’s status and outcome.
When asked why he does the things he did for this patient and their family, he simply said, “I did what I would want done for me and my family in a time of need”. This nurse is the truest definition of compassion and what the DAISY Award is all about.
***
Ken is the epitome of what an RN should be. He garners compliments from everyone he encounters, thanks to his unwavering passion for his career and his patients. His care is driven not by personal gain, but by a genuine selflessness that sets him apart.
Per the Account Manager from the facility about Ken: Good Afternoon, I received a call from a patient who was in the ED. She wanted you to know that Ken Wader, RN, is a “gem.” I assured her I would share with nursing leadership. Kudos to Ken and your team.
The first day we met him, we could instantly tell that he loved and cared about his job and everybody he took care of. His willingness to step in and help other nurses and his love for his job is unparalleled. But what sets this nurse apart is the kindness and compassion that he shows to every one of his patients on a daily basis. He makes it his priority to meet and exceed his patients’ needs and their family’s needs. He consistently tries to gain the highest degree of understanding about their situation and shows unparalleled compassion during the toughest times of their lives. Its as if he treats each one of his patients like it were his own family member, and although we have witnessed his kindness and his unparalleled compassion for his patients on a daily basis, one day recently, he took his compassion and love for his patient and family to a level worthy of this DAISY Award Nomination.
After receiving his room assignments on this day, he received his first patient. He learned from the triage note that the patient came to the ER after having some difficulty with his memory while at a grocery store checkout. After talking with the patient and assessing the patient, he at once initiated a stroke protocol workup. Although the patient was alert and oriented, he had significant issues with his short-term memory. The patient was visibly upset and was very scared as he was visiting from out of town and was house-sitting for a friend and taking care of their cats. The compassion this nurse showed going forward was an amazing sight to witness. After calming the patient down and letting him know that he was there for him and would do anything he could to help, he was able to help locate the number for the person the patient was house-sitting for and notify them that he was in the hospital and that he would not be able to continue to take care of the cats.
What happened next for the patient was devastating. After a very thorough workup, it was decided that the patient had an exceptionally large brain tumor that was causing the memory issue. This nurse stayed with the patient and compassionately helped him work through the initial shock, and then began to inquire about the patient’s family, trying to find someone to come to the hospital to be with the patient. After finding out that he would be transferred to another hospital, the patient became genuinely concerned about his car and other personal items. The nurse took the time to find the patient's car in the parking lot and retrieve the personal items from it, then arranged and met with the person who took his car and would drive it back to his house for him. When the nurse inquired about family the patient began crying saying he had a daughter, but he hadn't talked to her in over a month, they used to have a very close relationship, but it seemed to fall apart in the last month. He further said that he had a sister, but he had not heard from her in a while either. With the permission of the patient, the nurse called the daughter and explained to the daughter about her father. The daughter verified that they were close, but she had not heard from him in over a month and now she knew why, and she began crying on the phone. The nurse further, with the patient's permission, reached out to the patient's sister and explained the situation to her. The nurse continued to stay in contact with the family and update them as the transfer plans were made. The nurse then communicated with the daughter and sister to help arrange logistical support and help for them to be united with him at the transfer destination. Finally, he followed up daily with family members, checking on the patient’s status and outcome.
When asked why he does the things he did for this patient and their family, he simply said, “I did what I would want done for me and my family in a time of need”. This nurse is the truest definition of compassion and what the DAISY Award is all about.
***
Ken is the epitome of what an RN should be. He garners compliments from everyone he encounters, thanks to his unwavering passion for his career and his patients. His care is driven not by personal gain, but by a genuine selflessness that sets him apart.
Per the Account Manager from the facility about Ken: Good Afternoon, I received a call from a patient who was in the ED. She wanted you to know that Ken Wader, RN, is a “gem.” I assured her I would share with nursing leadership. Kudos to Ken and your team.