May 2021
Maribel
Burgos
,
RN
VNA Health Group Holmdel
VNA Health Group
Holmdel
,
NJ
United States
Nurse Maribel saw kindness and understanding were needed and gave them what they dearly needed. She kept the lines of communication going with the patient and husband.
I had the pleasure of working with RN Maribel Figueroa-Burgos recently on a Cancer Institute of New Jersey referral for home IV hydration and Neupogen injection instruction. The CINJ nurse gave the order and sent e-mails chronicling her lengthy interaction with the patient trying to get her to agree to home IV hydration. In my role as CINJ HCIC, I called the patient and spoke to her. The patient is in her 80s and recently, newly diagnosed with cancer. She is going through daily radiation treatments and chemo simultaneously. Her husband is in his 80s and is with her through all of this. She has a diagnosed anxiety issue also. She is going through a lot of turmoil. I calmed her down, however, her concern was that her husband would have to stop the IV hydration. He also has to learn how to give her a Neupogen injection. Needless to say, her anxiety was palpable and understandable. Maribel went in the first time and the patient was anxious. Due to not getting the proper equipment from Qualitas, a peripheral line had to be initiated which caused the patient anxiety. The patient said she would go to a local IV Center. Within a few days, received another e-mail from the CINJ nurse that the patient wanted to restart IV home infusion with VNA. I then reviewed Maribel’s notes. She did not discharge the patient. She assessed the situation with the patient and husband and gave them the support and care they desperately needed from someone. She kept the lines of communication open with them. We come in contact daily with people going through life’s greatest challenges. What they need is someone to listen and show they care. Unfortunately not done as routine in today’s society. However, Nurse Maribel saw kindness and understanding were needed and gave them what they dearly needed. She kept the lines of communication going with the patient and husband. This resulted in the patient resuming IV hydration with her and VNA.
It is rare for a team nurse to keep me in the loop even in challenging cases. Maribel continues to e-mail me to keep me updated and therefore keep CINJ nurses updated on the condition of their patients. Having had contact with the patient, I know RN Maribel is one of those nurses who is a quiet hero of our profession. She exhibits professionalism, intelligence, skill, and caring to the highest degree and should be held up as an example of a shining star of our profession.
It is rare for a team nurse to keep me in the loop even in challenging cases. Maribel continues to e-mail me to keep me updated and therefore keep CINJ nurses updated on the condition of their patients. Having had contact with the patient, I know RN Maribel is one of those nurses who is a quiet hero of our profession. She exhibits professionalism, intelligence, skill, and caring to the highest degree and should be held up as an example of a shining star of our profession.