Dan Hershberger
January 2015
Dan
Hershberger
,
RN
Adult Psychiatric
Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University
Columbus
,
OH
United States
Dan is a psychiatric nurse - who was a psychiatric care technician - who was a Harding Hospital volunteer. His advancement through the mental health care system is a testament to his love of the vocation. He has a true passion to help those with mental illness; especially those who are underprivileged and/or are living with disabilities.
Last month, I got to witness Dan working with a patient suffering from dual psychiatric diagnoses, as well as a partial lower extremity amputation. The patient had presented non-compliant with treatment and with very poor self-care. Upon arrival, he began distancing himself by isolating to room and would verbally attack all he encountered. After a short while, he rebuffed those who spoke to him, he declined all scheduled medication, and refused to allow nurses to perform wound care. Dan would remain with the patient despite his gruff exterior. He would make time to go his room when the patient was isolating, or to pull him into a side room to talk when was starting to disrupt the unit. He saw past the pain fueled behaviors, to the pain itself - not so much the pain of his injury, but rather the pain of isolation. Dan would spent time with him despite his claims that he wanted to be left alone, or didn't need help; and he broke through.
After refusing treatment on his wound for days, he allowed Dan to change out a soiled and foul smelling dressing and was completely compliant with that night's medications. In the days to follow he allowed other nurses to provide care as well, he became more receptive and reactive to staff - came out in milieu for group meals and felt comfortable enough to voice his needs and complaints. This greatly improved his health, likely saving his extremity from further complications and expedited his discharge. The patient later voiced that he had felt too ashamed to ask for help, but was happy that someone had given it freely despite himself.
Dan is a shining embodiment of our Trauma Informed Care initiative - seeking to bypass judgment in order to meet patients where they're at and provide the best care possible.
Last month, I got to witness Dan working with a patient suffering from dual psychiatric diagnoses, as well as a partial lower extremity amputation. The patient had presented non-compliant with treatment and with very poor self-care. Upon arrival, he began distancing himself by isolating to room and would verbally attack all he encountered. After a short while, he rebuffed those who spoke to him, he declined all scheduled medication, and refused to allow nurses to perform wound care. Dan would remain with the patient despite his gruff exterior. He would make time to go his room when the patient was isolating, or to pull him into a side room to talk when was starting to disrupt the unit. He saw past the pain fueled behaviors, to the pain itself - not so much the pain of his injury, but rather the pain of isolation. Dan would spent time with him despite his claims that he wanted to be left alone, or didn't need help; and he broke through.
After refusing treatment on his wound for days, he allowed Dan to change out a soiled and foul smelling dressing and was completely compliant with that night's medications. In the days to follow he allowed other nurses to provide care as well, he became more receptive and reactive to staff - came out in milieu for group meals and felt comfortable enough to voice his needs and complaints. This greatly improved his health, likely saving his extremity from further complications and expedited his discharge. The patient later voiced that he had felt too ashamed to ask for help, but was happy that someone had given it freely despite himself.
Dan is a shining embodiment of our Trauma Informed Care initiative - seeking to bypass judgment in order to meet patients where they're at and provide the best care possible.