Today started out just like any other, multiple phone calls, bustling hallways, and noisy nursing stations. I unlock my office door and sigh as I see the stack of papers that have gone unattended for the second week in a row. I sat at my desk responding to the multiple emails and addressing the daily issues and concerns. Then my desk phone rings, I hear the distressed voice of our unit secretary, asking me to come out and assist on the floor because the charge nurse is tied up.
As I walk out to the unit, the charge nurse slowly peers out of a room and quietly whispers, "Can you just go in and stay with this patient while I grab a few things? The family is not comfortable with me leaving him. I don't want them to have to be alone." I agreed with a questioning look and entered the room.
I noticed a young looking patient, flailing around in the bed. He was squirming around while grabbing his head and gripping the sheets. This poor patient moaned and pleaded for relief. The sight of him made me cringe and the amount of pain this patient was experiencing made me uncomfortable. As the family member assisted me to get this patient back to a safe spot on the bed, the nurse returned. I felt like my feet were glued and I could not leave this patient. I watched the nurse calmly reassuring the patient and family that she was going to take care of him. This nurse held the patient's hand, sat at the bedside and dabbed a cool compress on the patient's face.
This charge nurse made the decision to keep this patient as her own, knowing that she would give the patient the time and care he needed. This nurse made many phone calls to multiple physicians and specialists to assist in formulating a plan to address this patient's pain. This was a very time-consuming process because this patient quickly metabolized the many narcotics and sedatives that he was given to control his pain.
I observed this nurse speak patiently and efficiently with the family at the bedside. The family became so upset and could not understand the "why" and "what" of what was happening to their loved one. This nurse was able to gain the trust of this patient's family and ensured them that she would stay by the patient's side until he was more comfortable. This family was very appreciative and eventually, they were comfortable enough to step out of the room to take a break.
This nurse spent three straight hours with this dying patient, attempting to make his last moments as comfortable as possible. Over time we forget the very reason we became nurses. We are not nurses for the recognition and certainly not for the money. We became nurses because we yearn for that rewarding feeling when our patient is able to take their first step after being intubated, when we can help a family cope with the passing of a loved one or when you feel that carotid pulse after two minutes of CPR. We took an oath to help our patients maintain their dignity at their worst moments and to celebrate with patients when they reach milestones.
I am thankful for Molly Wood. I am thankful that this patient was blessed to have Molly as his nurse that day. With the daily work challenges and stressors, I realized that I lost focus of what is most important to me.
I want to thank Molly for that experience; it helped me remember the reason I became a nurse.