Michelle Strauss
June 2018
Michelle
Strauss
,
RN
CCU
WellStar Cobb Hospital
Austell
,
GA
United States
I witnessed Michelle go above and beyond for many of her patients over the past year of working with her. On one occasion, I witnessed her go out of her way for a patient by simply buying the patient a Coke. This particular patient had no appetite, and all she could talk about was a Coke she was craving. Thanks to Michelle she got a Coke in the middle of the night. On a second occasion with a different patient, a few weeks later, Michelle was one of the best patient advocates. The patient was suffering from cancer and everyone who was paying any attention would have been able to see that he was at the end of his life. Michelle took it upon herself to push the doctors, even in the middle of the night, to come have "the talk" with this family. After a tough family conference, the family did decide to make the patient a DNR and started comfort care. Michelle worked all night to make the patient as pain-free and comfortable as one would only want in this situation.
To see a nurse who isn't afraid to push the doctors to wake up in the middle of the night; who isn't afraid to advocate for her patients - that's the kind of nurse who has a calling to do this job. That's the kind of nurse people need to look up to. It speaks measures when a young nurse of fewer than 2 years is a) strong enough to work in critical care, and b) is one of the best advocates of patients I've seen in quite some time. If Michelle would not have pushed as hard as she did, that patient would have suffered.
***
Michelle showed such compassion for her patient a few weeks ago. The patient was completely oriented and suffering from c-diff. Michelle had the unfortunate task of inserting a rectal tube, which is not a pleasant thing for a patient. It was my understanding that this patient's bottom was awfully red, excoriated, and painful. I will never forget how loud the patient yelled out while getting the rectal tube, just like I will never forget how compassionate Michelle was before, during and after. I heard her patient thank her over and over for her kindness and compassion all night, especially after such an embarrassing procedure for the patient. The way she showed compassion and handled what could have been very embarrassing for the patient is why I want to recognize Michelle.
To see a nurse who isn't afraid to push the doctors to wake up in the middle of the night; who isn't afraid to advocate for her patients - that's the kind of nurse who has a calling to do this job. That's the kind of nurse people need to look up to. It speaks measures when a young nurse of fewer than 2 years is a) strong enough to work in critical care, and b) is one of the best advocates of patients I've seen in quite some time. If Michelle would not have pushed as hard as she did, that patient would have suffered.
***
Michelle showed such compassion for her patient a few weeks ago. The patient was completely oriented and suffering from c-diff. Michelle had the unfortunate task of inserting a rectal tube, which is not a pleasant thing for a patient. It was my understanding that this patient's bottom was awfully red, excoriated, and painful. I will never forget how loud the patient yelled out while getting the rectal tube, just like I will never forget how compassionate Michelle was before, during and after. I heard her patient thank her over and over for her kindness and compassion all night, especially after such an embarrassing procedure for the patient. The way she showed compassion and handled what could have been very embarrassing for the patient is why I want to recognize Michelle.