Stephanie
Edwards
,
BSN, RN, CWON
I received a patient from the Emergency Department with skin that would make anyone with a heart cry. My coworkers and I had no idea how to even begin to care for the patient's skin condition. This patient had multiple sclerosis and fortunately for her, her skin condition did not hurt. My heart sank for the woman. Her skin was as red as a stop sign, some areas were open. She had little skin without wounds. It was Saturday night at 6:30 pm when I received her from the ED. At shift change, I reached out to my manager for Stephanie's phone number, messaged her around 8 pm and she responded. I asked for a huge favor, but truth be told, this is Stephanie's calling. She did not see it as a favor, but an opportunity. Just as easily as she said yes, she could also have said no. Stephanie came into work this night, her day off, without pay, to care for this patient. She was in the unit for a couple of hours doing dressings, skin care and education with the bedside nurses. When she texted me later, I cried. They were happy tears. I am sure when God thought of a good angel to place on this earth to provide nursing care, he made Stephanie. Within the next couple of days after Stephanie's night visit, every staff member in the unit was grateful, thankful, and speechless. We are all honored to be her coworker and friend. She is what it means to be a nurse!