Being a primary nurse is not an easy task. It is voluntary, hard work that requires dedication and patience, but displays a level of compassion unlike any other. Primary nurses choose to devote every shift they come to work in the CICU to care for this one patient and their family, no matter what is going on with that patient and no matter how long that patient is in our unit.
One nurse who displayed this selflessness, dedication, love, and care was Sarah Thompson. Not only was she the primary nurse to a patient, but Sarah chose to care for one of our most complex and chronically ill teenage patients for months.
This particular patient received a heart transplant. She had many ups downs over the past several months requiring many different advanced therapies and technologies, and Sarah was by her side through it all. She took her time to get to know this patient and their family. Sarah learned her likes, dislikes, and most importantly, how to best communicate with or for her.
In this patient's culture, turning 15 is a very big deal. Sarah took the initiative to organize and throw a party for her family and friends outside of the CICU. This was quite the undertaking due to the amount of equipment and support the patient requires. Sarah thought of every detail and had a salon that works with transplant patients come in to do her hair, makeup, and nails before her "quinceanera."
Sarah went above and beyond to provide exceptional care for this patient and her family. It can be overwhelming and exhausting caring for a chronically ill child. Sarah chose to provide this care with an overwhelming amount of love and grace. She took the extra time to connect and truly love this patient and family.