Tali Luongo
July 2021
Tali
Luongo
,
BSN, RN
Emergency Department
Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters
Norfolk
,
VA
United States
Tali provided a level of care that I was unable to provide because I lacked that personal experience.
I had a patient present to the ED. She was the sweetest girl and feeling so miserable. Tali came to me because she had recently experienced the same situation. She was able to share with me some things we might expect to happen. Tali approached me 2-3 times about this patient because of genuine concern about the patient.
As time passed on, the patient was told she needed to go to the OR to fix what was continuing to cause problems. The patient was visibly distressed and nervous about the thought of general anesthesia. Without mentioning Tali's name, I was able to share with the patient Tali’s story to help alleviate some fears and help her know that she did not have to feel alone because other people around her can relate personally to what she is going through. I asked the patient if she would like to speak to Tali and ask her questions. The patient’s face lit up instantly and I could tell it would be helpful. I approached Tali to see if she would consider this and before I could even finish my statement she agreed and said she would be glad to speak with the patient. Tali provided a level of care that I was unable to provide because I lacked that personal experience. It meant so much to me and the patient that she took a moment out of her busy assignment to share with me throughout the patient’s stay and to sit down with her to comfort her when the patient needed it most.
As time passed on, the patient was told she needed to go to the OR to fix what was continuing to cause problems. The patient was visibly distressed and nervous about the thought of general anesthesia. Without mentioning Tali's name, I was able to share with the patient Tali’s story to help alleviate some fears and help her know that she did not have to feel alone because other people around her can relate personally to what she is going through. I asked the patient if she would like to speak to Tali and ask her questions. The patient’s face lit up instantly and I could tell it would be helpful. I approached Tali to see if she would consider this and before I could even finish my statement she agreed and said she would be glad to speak with the patient. Tali provided a level of care that I was unable to provide because I lacked that personal experience. It meant so much to me and the patient that she took a moment out of her busy assignment to share with me throughout the patient’s stay and to sit down with her to comfort her when the patient needed it most.