When a new patient was admitted to her unit in Barron, Yvonne Stearns, Medical/Surgical, was unaware of the challenges she would overcome. Her patient recently had been diagnosed with diabetes and didn't speak English. With seven years of experience as a diabetic educator, Yvonne saw this scenario as an opportunity to help.
With the hospital supplying an interpreter and the charge nurse providing additional support in the unit, Yvonne was able to dedicate more of her time to the diabetic patient. In one day, she taught him about the changes in his diet, how to use a glucose monitor and how to inject insulin. She also printed information in the patient's native language, so he'd have something to reference when he returned home.
"It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my career. I said a prayer that I could teach him well enough," Yvonne said. By the time the patient was ready to be discharged, Yvonne's efforts had been noticed by all. His father shook her hand and said, 'Thank you, sister'.