Rebecca's clinical skill and especially her compassionate care exemplify the kind of nurse that our patients, their families, and our staff recognize as an outstanding role model.
Rebecca arrived at a Veteran's home for a routine home visit. She knocked at the Veteran's door and attempted to call his telephone with no response. It was abnormal for this Veteran to not be home for his scheduled visits. Rebecca contacted his emergency contact who indicated she had not spoken or seen the Veteran in several months. His neighbor also reported to Rebecca they had not seen the Veteran in 3 days. Due to her concern about the Veteran's safety Rebecca called the VA Police to request a health and welfare check. The Princeton police arrived at the Veteran's residence and the Veteran was located in his apartment in his bedroom. He was disoriented, complained of shortness of breath and chest pain. 911 was called and the Veteran was transported to local hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to remove a heart blockage. Her action of calling for health and welfare check, her "nursing instinct", resulted in the Veteran receiving the emergency care he needed. The Veteran has now returned home and continues to function safely with on-going HBPC services.