Nikki Dorian
March 2020
Nikki
Dorian
,
RN, BSN
3 West Orthopedics
UPMC Shadyside
Pittsburgh
,
PA
United States
In January 2017 Nikki came to the Orthopedic unit as a traveling nurse. Nikki was a welcomed personality from the first day she came to assist with our staffing needs. She immediately fit in with our orthopedic family, was flexible with her schedule, and willing to help at a moment's notice. Nikki continued to renew her contract and remained a travel nurse on our unit until January 2018 when she accepted a full-time position. Nikki has an infectious and positive personality that patients and families always appreciate. She is a team player who has a personality that is relatable and makes anyone feel comfortable. On several occasions, I have watched Nikki walk in a patient's room to get a bedside report. As she greets the patient saying "Hi, I'm back with you today", the patient's face lights up with the biggest smile. When observing Nikki with her patients, you can see that she cares how the patient is feeling and is always willing to go the extra mile to listen and make the patient feel comfortable in their care.
One particular patient encounter comes to mind that really demonstrates Nikki's true character. Nikki took over the care of a young, 22-year-old college student this past year. It was days prior to college graduation when this young man was out playing frisbee with friends. He suffered an ankle fracture and was brought to UPMC Shadyside Hospital. He and his family anticipated an ankle cast and to be discharged that day. This was not the case as X-rays revealed bone cancer. He was taken to the operating room and admitted to 3 West overnight.
The next day, the physician rounded and discussed discharge later that day. Nikki was his bedside nurse that day and after physical therapy, it was clear the patient was not safe to discharge. She notified the doctor and reassured the patient. Nikki returned the next day and again the doctors rounded and discussed discharge. Nikki knew that it was important to the patient to be discharged early as it was his college graduation. She called therapy to work with the patient early and got everything for discharge ready. Shortly after therapy, the patient began to complain about increasing numbness/pain in his ankle. On assessment, Nikki realized the patient was not able to straight leg raise. She called the doctor, who came to see the patient and decided it was best if the patient stayed in the hospital to continue to monitor.
After spending the past two days with the patient, Nikki knew how disappointed he was that he would not make his graduation. She called dietary to get a cake, printed out a diploma, and found the "graduation march" on her phone. She gathered up all the nurses and said, "let's go surprise him with a graduation!". As all the nurses walked in his room to congratulate him, he was simultaneously watching his classmates' graduation on a live stream from the college. The patient's parents were at the bedside and he and his mom started crying from Nikki's effort to make sure he got his own graduation.
Several days later, the patient was ready for discharge. His mother commented on how great the stay was and even though her son missed graduation, he would never forget Nikki's compassion.
One particular patient encounter comes to mind that really demonstrates Nikki's true character. Nikki took over the care of a young, 22-year-old college student this past year. It was days prior to college graduation when this young man was out playing frisbee with friends. He suffered an ankle fracture and was brought to UPMC Shadyside Hospital. He and his family anticipated an ankle cast and to be discharged that day. This was not the case as X-rays revealed bone cancer. He was taken to the operating room and admitted to 3 West overnight.
The next day, the physician rounded and discussed discharge later that day. Nikki was his bedside nurse that day and after physical therapy, it was clear the patient was not safe to discharge. She notified the doctor and reassured the patient. Nikki returned the next day and again the doctors rounded and discussed discharge. Nikki knew that it was important to the patient to be discharged early as it was his college graduation. She called therapy to work with the patient early and got everything for discharge ready. Shortly after therapy, the patient began to complain about increasing numbness/pain in his ankle. On assessment, Nikki realized the patient was not able to straight leg raise. She called the doctor, who came to see the patient and decided it was best if the patient stayed in the hospital to continue to monitor.
After spending the past two days with the patient, Nikki knew how disappointed he was that he would not make his graduation. She called dietary to get a cake, printed out a diploma, and found the "graduation march" on her phone. She gathered up all the nurses and said, "let's go surprise him with a graduation!". As all the nurses walked in his room to congratulate him, he was simultaneously watching his classmates' graduation on a live stream from the college. The patient's parents were at the bedside and he and his mom started crying from Nikki's effort to make sure he got his own graduation.
Several days later, the patient was ready for discharge. His mother commented on how great the stay was and even though her son missed graduation, he would never forget Nikki's compassion.