Sanyae Wilson
September 2021
Sanyae
Wilson
,
RN, MSN, BSN, C-EFM
Labor & Delivery
University Hospital, Newark
Newark
,
NJ
United States
Sanyae then spent hours, listening to the patient, offering her support, encouragement, and just being someone, the young woman could talk to about the things going on in her life.
In March 2021, there was a pregnant young lady who came to the hospital with light pain in her abdomen and wanted to be safe and make sure that she and her baby were well. While being assessed in triage, the young woman disclosed that she was experiencing a lot of difficulty with the recent changes in her life and as a young mother she had no family or community resources to help or guide her through her present situation. Upon further assessment, it was determined that it would be helpful for the patient to have the opportunity to speak with a member from social work who could possibly point her in the direction of community resources to assist her. Unfortunately, after a very long wait, social work was unable to see the patient and the patient determined that she could no longer wait and wanted to be discharged home.
As a charge nurse that day, Sanyae took it upon herself to lend her ear to the patient because she did not feel comfortable sending the patient home without offering the patient at least someone to talk to. She wanted to make sure that the patient was safe. Sanyae then spent hours, which the patient volume had allowed her to that day, listening to the patient, offering her support, encouragement, and just being someone, the young woman could talk to about the things going on in her life. It was disclosed that the patient did not have many female role models whom she could turn to for advice or direction. The patient was becoming overwhelmed with life and disclosed that she did not want to be a victim of depression. At that moment, Sanyae exceeded her role as a nurse. She allowed her instincts and compassionate nature to lead her as a source of encouragement to that young mother who had no one else to turn to. After Sanyae collaborated with the Labor and Delivery physicians, the team was able to conclude that the patient was not a danger to herself. Sanyae provided the patient with advice and community resources to assist her with her challenges as a young mother who, prior to that moment, had no support system. That day when Sanyae’s coworkers asked her about what had kept her busy for hours, Sanyae humbly shared the details of her experience as a learning opportunity and a situation that any of her coworkers could have come across. Everyone was impressed. She stated that she felt her actions were necessary because as a mom and African American woman herself, she related to her patient and knew how important having someone supportive in your corner truly is. Sanyae was even jokingly given the name of “Evangelist Sanyae” by a coworker on that day. The irony is that the title of evangelist refers to someone who is a “Zealous advocate of something.” On that day, in both the eyes of her coworkers and the patient, Sanyae was most definitely a zealous advocate for self-love, self-worth, and mental health.
The patient recently came back, and no one recognized her at the time. She needed to be notified at home of a test result. Sanyae volunteered to call the patient and give her the results. Sanyae also used the opportunity to check up on her and to ensure that she was coping well since their encounter. As an informatics nurse and a member of the Steering Committee, Sanyae always pushes us to do things correctly. She takes it upon herself to make sure that we are thorough and appropriate in the steps that we are taking. Sometimes, it may mean that we have to go back to the physician to get clarification and to make sure that all are on one accord. As a new nurse on the floor, she has been an encouragement in the work that I do.
As a charge nurse that day, Sanyae took it upon herself to lend her ear to the patient because she did not feel comfortable sending the patient home without offering the patient at least someone to talk to. She wanted to make sure that the patient was safe. Sanyae then spent hours, which the patient volume had allowed her to that day, listening to the patient, offering her support, encouragement, and just being someone, the young woman could talk to about the things going on in her life. It was disclosed that the patient did not have many female role models whom she could turn to for advice or direction. The patient was becoming overwhelmed with life and disclosed that she did not want to be a victim of depression. At that moment, Sanyae exceeded her role as a nurse. She allowed her instincts and compassionate nature to lead her as a source of encouragement to that young mother who had no one else to turn to. After Sanyae collaborated with the Labor and Delivery physicians, the team was able to conclude that the patient was not a danger to herself. Sanyae provided the patient with advice and community resources to assist her with her challenges as a young mother who, prior to that moment, had no support system. That day when Sanyae’s coworkers asked her about what had kept her busy for hours, Sanyae humbly shared the details of her experience as a learning opportunity and a situation that any of her coworkers could have come across. Everyone was impressed. She stated that she felt her actions were necessary because as a mom and African American woman herself, she related to her patient and knew how important having someone supportive in your corner truly is. Sanyae was even jokingly given the name of “Evangelist Sanyae” by a coworker on that day. The irony is that the title of evangelist refers to someone who is a “Zealous advocate of something.” On that day, in both the eyes of her coworkers and the patient, Sanyae was most definitely a zealous advocate for self-love, self-worth, and mental health.
The patient recently came back, and no one recognized her at the time. She needed to be notified at home of a test result. Sanyae volunteered to call the patient and give her the results. Sanyae also used the opportunity to check up on her and to ensure that she was coping well since their encounter. As an informatics nurse and a member of the Steering Committee, Sanyae always pushes us to do things correctly. She takes it upon herself to make sure that we are thorough and appropriate in the steps that we are taking. Sometimes, it may mean that we have to go back to the physician to get clarification and to make sure that all are on one accord. As a new nurse on the floor, she has been an encouragement in the work that I do.