Kristen took care of my dad for several days. She had heard what a horrible stay we had at an outside facility, so upon my family entering the CPICU, she immediately introduced herself, made us feel at home, and explained every single detail of my dad's care. She was cheerful every day and even though she may have been having a bad day with her other patient, she always made time for every want that my dad had. She included us in his care in every way possible. She talked to him daily and made him feel comfortable with the decisions that he had to make.
Once my dad had made the decision to withdraw care, Kristen ensured that our every need as a family was met. She got every resource involved that we possibly could've needed. She ensured that we had time to meet with the hospice consultant as a family and understand the steps we needed to get there. She ensured that my dad could have a family dinner with my mom, my husband, my husband's parents, and me.
Once we were discharged to hospice, Kristen baked homemade chocolate chip cookies and brought them to hospice and visited with my dad and our family. She was so helpful, caring, and understanding in our time of need. I truly feel like my family could not have made it through such a trying time without such an exceptional nurse by our side. Her care and compassion were absolutely exemplary. She is the kind of nurse that makes me strive to be a better nurse. My family will cherish her forever and we are so thankful that we were blessed with her as our nurse.