Susan Block
March 2022
Susan
Block
,
RN
ICU
Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center
Vacaville
,
CA
United States
She then came to me and asked permission to stay with her patient and family. She stated that he was very close to the end and the family had inquired if she would be able to see them through this.
If you know Susan Block, you know that not only is she an excellent nurse, but her personality is infectious. She is positive, personable, and knowledgeable.
On Friday, Susan was scheduled to work an 8-hour shift as opposed to her usual 12-hour shift. I noticed throughout the day she was a little “off”.
Although, as attentive to her patients as always, her usually shining personality was a little dull. I tried to cheer her up a bit, but she was just having “one of those days.” She stated to me that she was glad she was “only doing 8 today.”
She was assigned a 2-room assignment however one of those rooms was empty and ready for an admit. Her patient was declining clinically, and was eventually placed on comfort care, she had developed a relationship with the family and had indicated that the patient is “just waiting for the rest of his family to show up.” I spoke with security and given the fact that the patient was declining so rapidly, we made the decision to allow the family to visit ASAP. It was now 1500 hours, and she was at the end of her shift. She then came to me and asked permission to stay with her patient and family. She stated that he was very close to the end and the family had inquired if she would be able to see them through this. I immediately agreed and thanked her for her dedication.
I recognized her at huddle on Saturday after going through the usual metrics and updates I told the team what I had witnessed and that it reminded me of why I became a nurse in the first place, to make a difference when it is needed. I went on to say that we have all been through a lot; a kit of rules and rule-changes, a lot of uncertainty and inconsistency, and yet despite all of that we have team members that continue to recognize the human side of health care. I am glad I took the opportunity to point out her actions to the team and remind them that their actions matter and that people indeed notice them. I wanted to share this with you to let you know of the incredible dedication of these team members in the ICU.
On Friday, Susan was scheduled to work an 8-hour shift as opposed to her usual 12-hour shift. I noticed throughout the day she was a little “off”.
Although, as attentive to her patients as always, her usually shining personality was a little dull. I tried to cheer her up a bit, but she was just having “one of those days.” She stated to me that she was glad she was “only doing 8 today.”
She was assigned a 2-room assignment however one of those rooms was empty and ready for an admit. Her patient was declining clinically, and was eventually placed on comfort care, she had developed a relationship with the family and had indicated that the patient is “just waiting for the rest of his family to show up.” I spoke with security and given the fact that the patient was declining so rapidly, we made the decision to allow the family to visit ASAP. It was now 1500 hours, and she was at the end of her shift. She then came to me and asked permission to stay with her patient and family. She stated that he was very close to the end and the family had inquired if she would be able to see them through this. I immediately agreed and thanked her for her dedication.
I recognized her at huddle on Saturday after going through the usual metrics and updates I told the team what I had witnessed and that it reminded me of why I became a nurse in the first place, to make a difference when it is needed. I went on to say that we have all been through a lot; a kit of rules and rule-changes, a lot of uncertainty and inconsistency, and yet despite all of that we have team members that continue to recognize the human side of health care. I am glad I took the opportunity to point out her actions to the team and remind them that their actions matter and that people indeed notice them. I wanted to share this with you to let you know of the incredible dedication of these team members in the ICU.