I nominate an extraordinary nurse, Olivia Babala, for her skills and compassionate care that she provides our ICU patients. She is a dedicated, spirited, and kind-hearted nurse. Although she works in ICU as a secondary to her position in the ED, she handles the sickest patient assignments with the greatest of ease.
Olivia was recently assigned a very difficult patient who had been in the hospital for a long time. This patient had been very ill over the years, and her family just couldn't bear to accept this. It was a difficult patient for everyone involved, as family members came from near and far to visit with high expectations as to the prognosis and total recovery of our patient. From the medical side, we knew that the end was coming.
Olicia happened to be assigned to the patient on a night when she wasn't doing so well. She notified the family and asked them to come to her bedside. She spent much needed time explaining and reviewing what we could do. She worked hard to use her listening skills to counsel them through this. Her clear communication and soft supportive ways helped them to make the long awaited decision to move towards "comfort" care.
During this shift, the patient did pass away. Her children were with her at her bedside, and they returned with the patient’s mother. Her passing with dignity and respect was supported by Olivia. The patient’s mother was able to embrace this nurse with the biggest hug, through her tears before leaving the unit with her grandsons.