In our department, we do not get the opportunity to build relationships or get to know our patients personally due to the fast pace and quick encounters. We have a mixture of patients that come in for an "interview" prior to their surgery and some get a phone call, so the "interview" is over the phone. One of our nurses went the extra mile to meet a patient's personal and emotional needs. This nurse called a patient scheduled for surgery several days before the actual procedure for a "phone interview". During the call, the patient kept talking about how lonely he was and how he enjoyed talking with the nurse on the phone. This nurse spent a few extra minutes talking with the patient, trying to cheer him up.
The nurse completed the interview and instructed the patient that, based on his medical history, he would need to come in the next day for lab work. She made the appointment for him and got off the phone. After hanging up, she realized his birthday was the same day as the appointment she had just scheduled. When the nurse arrived to work the following day, she brought a Happy Birthday balloon and birthday cake. When I asked her who it was for, she began to tell her the story of the patient she had spoken to yesterday.
When the patient arrived at our department for his lab work, the nurse had organized for the department to sing "Happy Birthday" to him. We all sang, and his nurse gave him the balloon and cake. The patient was so thankful and gave the biggest, sweetest smile. He had turned 81, but his nurse made him feel like a kid again. We all cried and were reminded that in a world where we are rushed to keep up with the demands in healthcare, patients just want to know that someone cares. His nurse went out of her way that day to make him feel special. This patient has called several times to thank this nurse. She made a huge impact on him and made his special day less lonely.
Tricia is truly a DAISY, and we are so happy to have her on our TEAM! The world needs more nurses like Tricia!