Sam Sprinkle
October 2016
Sam
Sprinkle
,
BSN, RN
Cardiothoracic ICU
The University of Kansas Hospital
Kansas City
,
KS
United States
When my Uncle passed away, I was confused and couldn't turn off my medical brain (I am a Nurse). I wanted to know why…what happened?
I was waiting for the moment that staff told us we had to leave. I knew that the ICU was not the place for 30-50 members of my Uncle's family. I knew that the other nurses in the unit needed to care for other patients. I knew that my family was pouring into the hallway and blocking the walkway for the nurses and doctors. I knew that a family this big can be a little overwhelming.
The ICU staff that night were nothing short of amazing and so very respectful. They whispered their report and discussions to each other. They found tissues for our family and assured that my aunt was eating and taking care of herself. They even allowed us to be together to grieve. I even had a nurse give me "nurse talk" for a bit. We were able to talk about the events that led to his condition. This helped because I was then able to answer the questions that my family had.
One of your nurses specifically warmed my heart, Sam Sprinkle. Sam was so attentive to my uncle. She addressed his vital signs perfectly. She knew that he loved to have a fan next to him and his feet out of the covers. She knew that my aunt had stomach issues and offered to make her toast. The way she addressed my family and touched my uncle's hand was nothing short of perfect. We knew Sam Sprinkle knew my uncle and loved him. She treated him with the respect that she would have given her own family members.
I know that there were multiple staff members involved in his care; they made him posters and cards for his birthday and cheered him up when he was sad. Sam is an extraordinary nurse. She gave comfort in a way not every nurse is able to give. She didn't have to do the things that she did. She did them out of love and caring for my uncle.
I was waiting for the moment that staff told us we had to leave. I knew that the ICU was not the place for 30-50 members of my Uncle's family. I knew that the other nurses in the unit needed to care for other patients. I knew that my family was pouring into the hallway and blocking the walkway for the nurses and doctors. I knew that a family this big can be a little overwhelming.
The ICU staff that night were nothing short of amazing and so very respectful. They whispered their report and discussions to each other. They found tissues for our family and assured that my aunt was eating and taking care of herself. They even allowed us to be together to grieve. I even had a nurse give me "nurse talk" for a bit. We were able to talk about the events that led to his condition. This helped because I was then able to answer the questions that my family had.
One of your nurses specifically warmed my heart, Sam Sprinkle. Sam was so attentive to my uncle. She addressed his vital signs perfectly. She knew that he loved to have a fan next to him and his feet out of the covers. She knew that my aunt had stomach issues and offered to make her toast. The way she addressed my family and touched my uncle's hand was nothing short of perfect. We knew Sam Sprinkle knew my uncle and loved him. She treated him with the respect that she would have given her own family members.
I know that there were multiple staff members involved in his care; they made him posters and cards for his birthday and cheered him up when he was sad. Sam is an extraordinary nurse. She gave comfort in a way not every nurse is able to give. She didn't have to do the things that she did. She did them out of love and caring for my uncle.