Rhonda
Rochester
December 2013
Rhonda
Rochester
,
BSN, RN,OCN
Medical Oncology
Central Washington Hospital
Wenatchee
,
WA
United States

 

 

 

Rhonda was nominated based on several stories from her colleagues. Here is a short synopsis of these stories and the reason why Rhonda is truly a DAISY Nurse.

She goes above and beyond the expectations. She had a patient that wanted to know exactly how tall our toilets were. She found a tape measure and measured it together with the patient.

Rhonda helped by praying with a patient. Rhonda put aside her personal beliefs and helped by keeping the patient calm and able to receive the care he needed.

A former patient said, "Rhonda is great at what she does. She took the time with me to put me at ease by explaining what chemo does to a body. She was very helpful, friendly, and compassionate." This patient went on to say, "I think I had the cream-of-the-crop for nurse care."

The following story submitted by her colleague, Eva Gomez, RN, really shows why Rhonda is our DAISY Honoree:

Rhonda was caring for a patient who was from Omak. The patient and her husband did not have any family here in Wenatchee. The patient had been told that she may be discharged the next day. Well, that night her husband had car trouble, their car did not start. With no family or friends in this area, they had no way of getting home and they seemed to be a little tight on money as well. So Rhonda, bless her heart, simply offered to help them. That morning after her long 12 hour shift she went down to the parking lot with the patient's spouse to attempt to start the car, but that was not successful. Rhonda went home that morning, but told the spouse to call her if they officially discharged his wife. At 1100 the patient had discharge orders and the spouse called Rhonda and she immediately came to pick him up to take him to the store so he could buy a new battery. With the new battery their car was able to start and the patient was able to discharge in a timely matter. Without Rhonda's help that would have not been possible.

Rhonda is an amazing nurse, I admire the care she gives to our patients, she is truly a role model; she truly cares for the patients as she has demonstrated with such kind acts. It is not the first time I personally witnessed Rhonda helping our patients and their family members, it is just in her nature - a true caring and compassionate nurse is who she is.