March 2021
Sara
Monckton
,
A.D.N., RN
CLC
Robert J Dole VA Medical Center
So today, the Veteran approached Ms. Monckton and asked if the offer for a chaperone to go outside was still on the table. Ms. Monckton immediately replied yes, and they spent the next hour outside.
This afternoon I needed to talk with Sara Monckton and couldn't find her. After just a bit of searching, I noted that she was outside in the CLC Courtyard with a Veteran. She was out there for quite some time. Let me provide some background information.
The Veteran was admitted 5 days ago for long-term antibiotics. He was reluctant to be admitted to the CLC because of concerns about not being able to have visitors or go outside. It is important to note that the Veteran also has a history of IV drug use. Yesterday, the Veteran visited Ms. Monckton to advise he would be leaving AMA because he could not stand the thought of not having visitors for the duration of his antibiotic therapy. Ms. Monckton offered several solutions, including chaperoned trips outside. Other staff within the CLC also worked with the Veteran to engage in therapeutic distraction. Ms. Monckton also advocated for his transfer to another facility with slightly less restrictive rules about visitors.
Although his transfer was approved, the facility he was referred to declined to accept him. So today, the Veteran approached Ms. Monckton and asked if the offer for a chaperone to go outside was still on the table. Ms. Monckton immediately replied yes, and they spent the next hour outside. Ms. Monckton and the Veteran talked about his service experience and the Veteran shared his story of becoming an addict. Ms. Monckton listened to his story. She didn't judge him. She didn't try to talk him into anything. She just listened. She did encourage him to make safe decisions.
Upon returning inside, the Veteran learned that his transfer had been declined. He immediately asked for his PICC to be removed and signed a consent to leave AMA. He thanked Ms. Monckton for listening. Ms. Monckton truly demonstrates the DAISY values. She could have asked a staff nurse to take the Veteran outside. She could have refused to offer options based on the "rules". She could have treated him differently because of his choices. But she didn't. She provided him with the care he deserves in a manner that demonstrated respect for him.
The Veteran was admitted 5 days ago for long-term antibiotics. He was reluctant to be admitted to the CLC because of concerns about not being able to have visitors or go outside. It is important to note that the Veteran also has a history of IV drug use. Yesterday, the Veteran visited Ms. Monckton to advise he would be leaving AMA because he could not stand the thought of not having visitors for the duration of his antibiotic therapy. Ms. Monckton offered several solutions, including chaperoned trips outside. Other staff within the CLC also worked with the Veteran to engage in therapeutic distraction. Ms. Monckton also advocated for his transfer to another facility with slightly less restrictive rules about visitors.
Although his transfer was approved, the facility he was referred to declined to accept him. So today, the Veteran approached Ms. Monckton and asked if the offer for a chaperone to go outside was still on the table. Ms. Monckton immediately replied yes, and they spent the next hour outside. Ms. Monckton and the Veteran talked about his service experience and the Veteran shared his story of becoming an addict. Ms. Monckton listened to his story. She didn't judge him. She didn't try to talk him into anything. She just listened. She did encourage him to make safe decisions.
Upon returning inside, the Veteran learned that his transfer had been declined. He immediately asked for his PICC to be removed and signed a consent to leave AMA. He thanked Ms. Monckton for listening. Ms. Monckton truly demonstrates the DAISY values. She could have asked a staff nurse to take the Veteran outside. She could have refused to offer options based on the "rules". She could have treated him differently because of his choices. But she didn't. She provided him with the care he deserves in a manner that demonstrated respect for him.