Svetlana exemplified exceptionally compassionate and exceptionally skilled care in many different ways. Although she worked with this particular patient for multiple days, one day in her seven weeks of hospitalization out of nine weeks of having known she had lung cancer was especially pivotal. It was the day she was told by every doctor on her team that there were no more surgical or medical options to help her feel better. The combination of her advanced, aggressive lung cancer plus pneumonia she'd been battling for months, was leaving her with only two choices: intubate and "fight" the remainder of her bumpy road downhill with her very poor prognosis or agree to DNR status and hospice care.
Of note, this patient was a retired Nursing Director from the VA and had helped open Kentucky's first ICU. Her son and I, both, are experienced Nurses and Preceptors. We all admired Svetlana a lot. She was graceful under pressure, timely despite a heavy workload, and ensured her Preceptee had the maximum learning experience at the same time. This included medication, assessments, direct care, care coordination, and therapeutic communication skills as well as having to use Health Information Technology to obtain and contribute to the patient's medical records.
Even though the never-ending whirlwind of work tasks enshrouded her, Svetlana modeled the art of humble patience and allowed the patient and her various family members to experience her unhurried, authentic presence. Thanks to Svetlana's attentiveness and appropriate prioritization of her attention that day, the patient and her family were able to swiftly accept the situation and Svetlana wasted no time in ensuring Palliative and Hospice consults happened during her shift.
From the perspective of a family member, Svetlana's attention was invaluable to compassionately humanize and assisting with grounding the patient and her family as we each caught the news. Every member of her extended family was notified and made their urgent travel arrangements by the end of Svetlana's shift. Thanks to not delaying the inevitable, a couple of days later, she was able to hug and enjoy the company of everyone she wished to see before her passing in the Hospice wing as well as have the most comfortable final days possible.
I think society is quick to hail praises to heroic life-saving moments, but I appreciate TGH's responsiveness in recognizing Svetlana's heroism in the skillful and compassionate ways she cared for her grieving patient and her distraught family, while simultaneously teaching a new nurse how to do the same. As with the cycle of life, Svetlana is continuing the cycle of what it means to artfully and skillfully be a Nurse. Svetlana seamlessly performed the art and labor of caring for a retired Nurse, in front of current Nurses, and teaching a new Nurse with poise and professionalism; she is truly a DAISY Nurse.