February 2015
Razaq
Oyebamiji
,
RN
ARC
James A Haley Veterans Hospital and Clinics
Tampa
,
FL
United States
Razaq Oyebamiji, RN has the most exceptional interpersonal skills in dealing with patients, families and or caregivers that I have ever worked with. He is so kind, calm and empathetic to patients in psychiatric distress, emotional pain, and veterans with addictions. He goes out of his way to ensure that each patient has their needs taken care of in the most empathetic way. Even when patients are yelling at him, threatening him, using racial and ethnic slurs, he is able to calmly redirect, empathize and comfort the patient. He is always able to express empathy and acceptance to patients going through the most horrific time in their life. He has this unique ability to explain to peers why each specific veteran deserves kindness and empathy.
He is a consummate professional, never a rude word or an unkind remark about anyone. His presence on the unit is calming, instructive and motivating. Razaq's professionalism and hard working attitude is infectious to all of his co-workers. He makes us all want to be better nurses and co-workers. He has excellent psychiatric nursing skills and can deescalate the most violent and despondent patients with just a few words. Even the most psychotic patients can sense that he is truly there to make the unit a safer place. He immediately is aware that something is not right on the unit and is able to intercede on activity that will cause violence, in a gentle calming way.
Razaq is always willing to teach peers what he knows about patients and psychiatric diagnosis. Often when staff is frustrated with patients who have difficult behaviors and violent behaviors, Razaq is able to explain the patients behavior and explain the patient's pain in the kindest and most empathetic way, which absolutely improves the patient care and motivates the staff to do more for patients. He has worked as a psychiatric nurse for decades and it can be a very emotionally draining and difficult population of people. Razaq never has a bad word or criticism for his patients which in itself is truly something to aspire to.
When family members come to the unit crying, yelling or having their own psychiatric issues, Razaq is able to calm them and talk to them and reassure them that their family member are being well taken care of by staff. After family members speak with Razaq, they leave the unit happy and reassured that their family member is getting excellent care.
Tonight I watched him walk down the patient hallway as he was doing rounds, I saw a patient yelling at him and he calmly spoke with him and the patient smiled afterwards and shook his hand. Razaq walked down the hallway continuing rounds, had 2 patients on either side of him yelling at each other and gesturing wildly with their arms. Razaq in the middle of 2 patients who were yelling over him with their arms flying about, gently motioned with his hands calmly and spoke to both of them for a few minutes, I saw after he spoke with them, both of the patients walking behind him smiling and talking to each other and laughing. Razaq was smiling and nodding his head to them and led them to the medication line and waited with them until they got their medication.
All this may seem simple but it is not at all. His presence alone makes us a better unit, but as nurses he is always encouraging us to strive to see the kindness and goodness in everyone. He is a truly remarkable person and nurse.
He is a consummate professional, never a rude word or an unkind remark about anyone. His presence on the unit is calming, instructive and motivating. Razaq's professionalism and hard working attitude is infectious to all of his co-workers. He makes us all want to be better nurses and co-workers. He has excellent psychiatric nursing skills and can deescalate the most violent and despondent patients with just a few words. Even the most psychotic patients can sense that he is truly there to make the unit a safer place. He immediately is aware that something is not right on the unit and is able to intercede on activity that will cause violence, in a gentle calming way.
Razaq is always willing to teach peers what he knows about patients and psychiatric diagnosis. Often when staff is frustrated with patients who have difficult behaviors and violent behaviors, Razaq is able to explain the patients behavior and explain the patient's pain in the kindest and most empathetic way, which absolutely improves the patient care and motivates the staff to do more for patients. He has worked as a psychiatric nurse for decades and it can be a very emotionally draining and difficult population of people. Razaq never has a bad word or criticism for his patients which in itself is truly something to aspire to.
When family members come to the unit crying, yelling or having their own psychiatric issues, Razaq is able to calm them and talk to them and reassure them that their family member are being well taken care of by staff. After family members speak with Razaq, they leave the unit happy and reassured that their family member is getting excellent care.
Tonight I watched him walk down the patient hallway as he was doing rounds, I saw a patient yelling at him and he calmly spoke with him and the patient smiled afterwards and shook his hand. Razaq walked down the hallway continuing rounds, had 2 patients on either side of him yelling at each other and gesturing wildly with their arms. Razaq in the middle of 2 patients who were yelling over him with their arms flying about, gently motioned with his hands calmly and spoke to both of them for a few minutes, I saw after he spoke with them, both of the patients walking behind him smiling and talking to each other and laughing. Razaq was smiling and nodding his head to them and led them to the medication line and waited with them until they got their medication.
All this may seem simple but it is not at all. His presence alone makes us a better unit, but as nurses he is always encouraging us to strive to see the kindness and goodness in everyone. He is a truly remarkable person and nurse.