I wanted to take a moment to share a meaningful story with you all. As everyone is aware, COVID has brought us many challenges. Our ICU unit is not much different from many across this country. We have seen many of our “core” staff separate to travel and have been replaced by agency/traveling nurses from within the state and country. Many have really enjoyed their time with us and continue to renew due to loving our culture. We have worked really hard to help our travelers feel welcomed/appreciated/part of the team. As part of the team, I feel it is important to recognize nurses who exemplify what it means to live our mission. I wanted to recognize Kristen Dross for the heartfelt care she has been delivering to our patients and their families.

Last week, Kristen was assigned to one of our long-term COVID patients on the brink of intubation and probable demise. She learned that his wife was admitted, also COVID positive in our PCU unit. With permission and assistance from the ANM, she arranged for a visit with his wife. It seemed to spark life back into him. He kept asking for his wife to “sit a little closer” … it was truly the cutest thing. Kristen then took photos of them together – both just beaming. His wife recovered and was able to go home the next day. Kristen kept getting assigned to the man last week and again this week and has developed quite a rapport. Today, the assistant nurse manager approached me to let me know about the food deliveries that came to the unit today. Apparently, this gentleman has not been eating well and really just wanted pizza. Kristen purchased a Panera flatbread pizza to be delivered for her patient hoping it would encourage him to eat and strengthen him. You would have thought the pizza was mana from Heaven! Not only did Kristen spoil her one patient – she couldn’t leave out her other! Rice and beans from Chipotle hit the spot and were truly medicine for her soul. She truly embraced the most important things for her patients, and I know they will never forget the nurse who cared enough to spoil them a bit. When I spoke to Kristen about the food – she shrugged and stated that “they are special to her”.

I’m proud of the ICU team and the care we deliver. We can’t always pick the circumstances that bring us together, but it’s a pleasure to manage when I have stories like this to share.