Our PICU experiences beauty and heartache all in the same day. Sheridan had a patient where the mother was drinking and driving and got in a car accident with the children in the car.
The father was at the bedside. When the patient had to go to surgery, Sheridan was walking by and happened to see the father weeping alone in the room. There was no judgment or hesitation in her; she just went to comfort him. I heard her reinforcing to the father that his child was in good hands and that we are helping to get him better so he can take him home. Sheridan shows dignity despite any circumstances.
Last week the PICU had a 9-year old psych patient that was homicidal and suicidal. She took her time to get to know him, even though he was yelling threats at her. She found that he loves to color with colored pencils to help him calm down. Sheridan knew he couldn't have colored pencils due to the risk of danger to himself and others. That evening Sheridan went shopping to bring him back Crayola twist pencils. You should have seen how he lit up to know she cared for him no matter his situation.
I am proud to work with a nurse like Sheridan who does not judge and shows compassion and dignity to all we serve.