Stacie Walsh
January 2015
Stacie
Walsh
,
MSN, RN, CMSRN, WCC
Med-Surg Float Pool
Yale New Haven Hospital
New Haven
,
CT
United States
When I think of "Compassionate Care" the nurse that comes to mind is Stacie Walsh. Although she is a float nurse and does not have an "assigned unit" Stacie makes a point to make every unit her home. She takes her profession and role seriously. She tries to connect with each and every patient, even if in a small way - something, anything to make a patients day or hospital stay a little brighter. Stacie is also no one to shy away from the family or care partners. She can also connect with them, and in turn make them feel a bit more at ease by having a loved one in the hospital. Although Stacie "moonlights" as a diabetes educator a few hours per week, she is always willing to educate the family and patient to assist in a smooth transition from hospital to home. Stacie was working as a staff nurse one weekend on a medical unit and a family needed information and instruction on diabetes (as the patient was newly diagnosed). Stacie overheard the covering nurse tell the family that the diabetes educator works Monday through Friday and they can call her on Monday to schedule an appointment. Although Stacie had her own assignment, she took close to one hour to explain to the patient and family about diabetes - starting at the beginning about what diabetes is and what organs are affected, moving to blood glucose monitoring, diet and exercise. She was not only explaining, but she was making sure that they understood the information and was even able to identify with the patient and her food preferences. She was even able to obtain a blood glucose monitor from materials service to give to the patient (and show her how to use it)! She even convinced the patient to draw up her own "insulin" (sterile water), practiced giving injections into a practice injection box and by the end of the shift, the patient was able and willing to inject herself with insulin. This made a HUGE impact on the patient's confidence and willingness to accept her diagnosis. As well as the family's comfort with the care that was being provided.
Stacie seems to make a special connection with just about anyone with whom she comes into contact with. The above example is only one of many that Ihave witnessed over the years. Stacie will sit with the patient and family member when explaining the plan of care or education the patient, because she feels as though she should be eye level with them. This makes the patient and family feel as though THEY are her priority and not just another number. Stacie has often brought in the newspaper or given patients money to buy the newspaper when they express an interest and are sometime ashamed because they do not have the money to buy it. The patient will always look at it as a "loan" and tells her they will give her the money when the family bring it in, but Stacie, being a float nurse, is often not there the next day, and that does not matter to her. She has often made special trips to the cafeteria or the gift shoppe for patients as well. She is also a diligent nurse that will keep her patients up-to-date with scheduling of diagnostic procedures. If the patient is not off the unit, at their scheduled time, she will often call the area to see if there are delays and immediately informs the patient and family.
Stacie goes above and beyond each day to ensure the patients and families are well cared for during their entire stay.
...
There was a patient who was on a particular unit for over a year. Stacie was not assigned to him but a couple of times, but she made a point to talk to him every day she was on the unit and would even stop by to visit on her lunch or way home from work. The patient's family did not visit and seemed to have abandoned him. He was appearing a bit depressed. A few times Howard mentioned a few requests -- that he wanted to go outside, he loved ribs, would like kettle corn, etc. Stacie obtained permission from the covering team to take Howard outside, in a wheelchair, for lunch (HER lunch break). She bought him kettle corn and a few meals from a local restaurant during his stay. He seemed to have "perked up" and said that "being in the hospital wasn't that bad." He started to ask for Stacie and she would often visit and stay for a while before leaving for the day.
...
A co-worker of mine told me a story of when her mother took her grandmother (with dementia) to a doctor appointment. The grandmother was agitated and screaming and yelling in the hallway, Stacie seeing how frazzled the two were did not hesitate to stop and try to assist them. They were waiting for transportation back to the nursing home, but have been waiting over an hour which was causing the Grandmother distress. Every one was walking by, but Stacie had to stop. She stayed with them for over 1.5 hours (after she had punched out) to help calm the elderly and offer support to her daughter. She even walked the patient around the hallway to ease the tension.
...
Stacie takes tremendous pride in her role as a clinical nurse. She always says "this is why I became a nurse." She loves to help people and this is apparent in her demeanor and actions. She is a strong patient and family advocate who's ability to connect with everyone is amazing! She always has a smile and NEVER has a negative thing to say. Stacie has a deep awareness of the needs of others and not only possess compassion, but also sincerity, a positive attitude. Willingness to help in any way she can, love, kindness, and warmth that comes with it. Her attributes, combined with her skill make her a top notch nurse and someone I am proud to call a co-worker and friend. Stacie Walsh is an experienced clinical nurse who will soon be transferring departments and should be honored for her compassionate, holistic, patient and family-centered care. She truly embodies everything the DAISY award represents!
Stacie seems to make a special connection with just about anyone with whom she comes into contact with. The above example is only one of many that Ihave witnessed over the years. Stacie will sit with the patient and family member when explaining the plan of care or education the patient, because she feels as though she should be eye level with them. This makes the patient and family feel as though THEY are her priority and not just another number. Stacie has often brought in the newspaper or given patients money to buy the newspaper when they express an interest and are sometime ashamed because they do not have the money to buy it. The patient will always look at it as a "loan" and tells her they will give her the money when the family bring it in, but Stacie, being a float nurse, is often not there the next day, and that does not matter to her. She has often made special trips to the cafeteria or the gift shoppe for patients as well. She is also a diligent nurse that will keep her patients up-to-date with scheduling of diagnostic procedures. If the patient is not off the unit, at their scheduled time, she will often call the area to see if there are delays and immediately informs the patient and family.
Stacie goes above and beyond each day to ensure the patients and families are well cared for during their entire stay.
...
There was a patient who was on a particular unit for over a year. Stacie was not assigned to him but a couple of times, but she made a point to talk to him every day she was on the unit and would even stop by to visit on her lunch or way home from work. The patient's family did not visit and seemed to have abandoned him. He was appearing a bit depressed. A few times Howard mentioned a few requests -- that he wanted to go outside, he loved ribs, would like kettle corn, etc. Stacie obtained permission from the covering team to take Howard outside, in a wheelchair, for lunch (HER lunch break). She bought him kettle corn and a few meals from a local restaurant during his stay. He seemed to have "perked up" and said that "being in the hospital wasn't that bad." He started to ask for Stacie and she would often visit and stay for a while before leaving for the day.
...
A co-worker of mine told me a story of when her mother took her grandmother (with dementia) to a doctor appointment. The grandmother was agitated and screaming and yelling in the hallway, Stacie seeing how frazzled the two were did not hesitate to stop and try to assist them. They were waiting for transportation back to the nursing home, but have been waiting over an hour which was causing the Grandmother distress. Every one was walking by, but Stacie had to stop. She stayed with them for over 1.5 hours (after she had punched out) to help calm the elderly and offer support to her daughter. She even walked the patient around the hallway to ease the tension.
...
Stacie takes tremendous pride in her role as a clinical nurse. She always says "this is why I became a nurse." She loves to help people and this is apparent in her demeanor and actions. She is a strong patient and family advocate who's ability to connect with everyone is amazing! She always has a smile and NEVER has a negative thing to say. Stacie has a deep awareness of the needs of others and not only possess compassion, but also sincerity, a positive attitude. Willingness to help in any way she can, love, kindness, and warmth that comes with it. Her attributes, combined with her skill make her a top notch nurse and someone I am proud to call a co-worker and friend. Stacie Walsh is an experienced clinical nurse who will soon be transferring departments and should be honored for her compassionate, holistic, patient and family-centered care. She truly embodies everything the DAISY award represents!