November 2023
Kerry
Pridgen
,
BSN, RN, CCRN
MICU
Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center
Lakeland
,
FL
United States
She took his clothes into the bathroom and began the process of rinsing them all out in the shower and placing them in basins of soap to soak.
Kerry is an exceptional leader, coworker, and all-around nurse. She leads by example and always puts our patients' needs first. This week, we had a homeless individual admitted to our unit. We were notified prior to his arrival that all of his belongings were bagged tightly, as they were soiled and malodorous. The patient arrived and was very concerned about his belongings and their whereabouts. Rightfully so, as they were all that he had. Kerry was able to go through all of his belongings, documenting and accounting for them all. She took his clothes into the bathroom and began the process of rinsing them all out in the shower and placing them in basins of soap to soak. The following shift, she returned to work to finish rinsing them again and placing them to hang dry. Now, when the patient is healthy enough for discharge, he will have his belongings clean and ready to take with him. This is just one example of the care that she provides to our patients. She really treats them as if they were her own family. We are lucky to work alongside her and proud to call her our leader.