Kim is currently working her 12th contract with us at Tailored Healthcare and has been a model traveler/employee. Kim is about as real as it gets. Kim and I have the best conversations that are so uplifting and positive but when tough situations come her way, whether that’s dealing with the hospital politics, difficult patients, or the pandemic, Kim was as real as it gets about those struggles. She communicated those struggles honestly by sharing how she feels, but, and the “but” is the important part, she is so self-aware and in control of her attitude that she moves forward with the mindset that she is there to serve. She has always kept her focus that her job as a travel nurse is to serve the patients and the hospital. If I had to point to one nurse on my roster that I would entrust with anyone in my family to show love and compassion, it would be Kim.

A recent story Kim shared with me was about a patient she stayed with while she passed away. This happened at her current facility, Atrium Medical Center in Middletown, OH. Kim floated from her TELE unit to an MS unit. She received her 6th patient who was a female in her 60s. The patient had been transferred over from the ER. Upon the patient’s arrival to the MS unit, she was delirious and not in good condition. She had multiple injuries including GI problems. Kim was confused why the ER did not insert an NG tube so Kim did that first and all she removed was blood. The situation was not good. Kim said the patient was aware that she was not going to make it this time and was scared of dying alone.

Additionally, the patient was listed as DNR. That’s when Kim, with a full patient load assigned to a different unit, slowed down and switched her focus into hospice mode to best care for this patient. Kim tried multiple methods and attempts to contact the patient’s family so someone could come to be with her in her final hours but was not able to get ahold of anyone. Kim did not leave her patient’s side. I asked Kim how long she was with the patient but she said she could not remember other than it was a long time.

After the patient passed away, Kim was the one to continue following up with the family. Eventually, she did connect with family members and delivered the news of their mother’s passing. The family expressed their gratitude to Kim for being there for their mother when she passed, as they knew their mother’s wishes to not be alone. The charge nurse on the MS unit recognized and praised Kim for the care she gave to this patient and communicated that to Kim’s manager. I asked Kim how she handled the outcome of that situation. She paused for a moment and then after fumbling over trying to find the right words she choked out with a shaky voice, “It’s what she wanted and it’s what I had to do.”

At that point, I’m fighting back tears too. I knew that Kim was not comfortable sharing this story in the given context for a DAISY nomination because I think Kim’s response says it all, “It's what I had to do.” Kim is not the type of person to brag on herself, to ask for praise. Our conversation constantly comes to a point of her explaining that she became a nurse to help people, not for the praise or money, just to love people when they need it most. It took a lot of effort to get Kim to open up and “brag” on herself because she doesn’t want to ask for recognition. It's not about the money. It's not about being labeled a hero. Kim reminds me that what we do is about making an impact on the world.