Rockey
Poeta
May 2012
Rockey
Poeta
,
RN
PCU
ChristianaCare Union Hospital
Elkton
,
MD
United States
Photo: (l-r) Director Joan Realdine, Interim PCU Manager Nicole Riley, DAISY Nurse Rockey Poeta, CNO Caren Lewis, Nominator Hospice Nurse Terry Canaday
I am nominating Rockey for this award after working with him as we provided care to a dying patient on Valentines Day. As a hospice nurse, I have witnessed the unbelievable compassion of the nursing staff here at Union, but the loving care provided to a patient by Rockey stands out in my mind and my heart. I cannot relay the story of this nurse and this patient today without becoming tearful.
“I am writing to tell you what an honor it was to work with Rockey on PCU in providing care for a patient through her dying process. As a hospice nurse, I have been with quite a few patients and their families during this very sacred time. This patient’s death was different from any I have experienced yet.
Like many patients with whom I have worked, this patient was very sick and very tired and very tired of being sick. She had been through so much and did not wish to seek aggressive treatments any longer. Unlike most of my patients, however this patient didn’t have the support of her family. This saddened her, but her nurse Rockey on PCU remained with her throughout the day and helped her to understand the emotions being experienced by her adult son and daughter. In her last hours of life, Rockey played her favorite card game with her, sang Tom Jones to her (Because she told him she loved this musician), and held her hand. As her hour approached, the patient informed the staff that she wished to have no visitors, but requested that Rockey stay with her. To witness the loving bond formed between this patient and her nurse was quite humbling. I cannot express in words to you the compassion Rockey offered this lonely dying woman. There is no doubt in my mind that it was Rockey’s gentle kindness and loving care that brought her the spiritual peace she needed to transition from this world to the next.
The patient’s time of death was called at 18:50, Rockey’s shift ended at 19:00, but he stayed until 21:00 to provide support to the patient’s family. He was able to help them find peace as well, by informing them of how quietly she left this world to be with her husband on Valentines Day.
It is not often one gets to witness something so sad and yet so beautiful. Rockey is an extremely special healthcare provider, an extraordinary Nurse. Union Hospital is blessed to have him as a part of the Union team”.
I am nominating Rockey for this award after working with him as we provided care to a dying patient on Valentines Day. As a hospice nurse, I have witnessed the unbelievable compassion of the nursing staff here at Union, but the loving care provided to a patient by Rockey stands out in my mind and my heart. I cannot relay the story of this nurse and this patient today without becoming tearful.
“I am writing to tell you what an honor it was to work with Rockey on PCU in providing care for a patient through her dying process. As a hospice nurse, I have been with quite a few patients and their families during this very sacred time. This patient’s death was different from any I have experienced yet.
Like many patients with whom I have worked, this patient was very sick and very tired and very tired of being sick. She had been through so much and did not wish to seek aggressive treatments any longer. Unlike most of my patients, however this patient didn’t have the support of her family. This saddened her, but her nurse Rockey on PCU remained with her throughout the day and helped her to understand the emotions being experienced by her adult son and daughter. In her last hours of life, Rockey played her favorite card game with her, sang Tom Jones to her (Because she told him she loved this musician), and held her hand. As her hour approached, the patient informed the staff that she wished to have no visitors, but requested that Rockey stay with her. To witness the loving bond formed between this patient and her nurse was quite humbling. I cannot express in words to you the compassion Rockey offered this lonely dying woman. There is no doubt in my mind that it was Rockey’s gentle kindness and loving care that brought her the spiritual peace she needed to transition from this world to the next.
The patient’s time of death was called at 18:50, Rockey’s shift ended at 19:00, but he stayed until 21:00 to provide support to the patient’s family. He was able to help them find peace as well, by informing them of how quietly she left this world to be with her husband on Valentines Day.
It is not often one gets to witness something so sad and yet so beautiful. Rockey is an extremely special healthcare provider, an extraordinary Nurse. Union Hospital is blessed to have him as a part of the Union team”.