Lynn is a great mentor and team player in addition to being an excellent nurse. Lynn is always willing to lend a hand to the staff and will jump right in to help with any task, from difficult IV starts to complex dressing changes, Lynn is always right by our side to help. Her calming manner and caring nature comforts patients as well as her co-workers in even the most difficult situations. The following example highlights just one of many times Lynn has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help.

We had a patient with an extensive psychiatric history. Unfortunately, the patient needed to be restrained in 4 point restrains and was a Level 3 Security risk. During his stay, the patient exhibited violent behavior towards staff and security and was restrained for 24+ hours. However, on this particular day, he was clearly lucid and requested to be let out of restraints to use the bathroom. The security guard expressed his discomfort with the patient’s request based on the history of his behavior during this admission.

Lynn spoke to the patient and planned his morning with him. Lynn had discreetly arranged for extra security to be present. Now, with three security guards at her side, Lynn spoke in a calm, yet firm voice with the patient. Lynn assisted him to the bathroom and provided him with toiletries. Lynn did not convey any fear or reluctance to be close to the patient. The patient, clearly relieved to be free, thanked Lynn and asked her to stay in the room while he cleaned up. Lynn promised she would and set about tidying his space. When the patient emerged half dressed, Lynn maintained the patient’s dignity by gently assisting him with his gown. The patient looked so relaxed and obviously felt so cared for by Lynn. The security guard was relieved as well and began to visibly relax. The patient agreed to let Lynn give him his medications which he was previously refusing and he was able to be left without restrains for the remainder of the day. By that afternoon, the patient was chatting with the staff, and smiling ear to ear. As she always does, Lynn took it all in stride and downplayed her role in the patient’s turnaround.

The next day would bring new challenges and a setback for this patient and for the staff. However, we were all able to better cope with this patient’s illness because we now had the opportunity to really see him as a patient and human being who needed our help. This was all because of the great example Lynn set for us to follow.