Sarah
Soetaert
March 2015
Sarah
Soetaert
,
BSN, RN, CCRN
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics
Kansas City
,
MO
United States

 

 

 

Sarah is such an asset to our PICU in every way imaginable. Not only is she smart and helpful to her coworkers, she is so great with families especially in tough situations. Recently a patient was doing very poorly with a bad outcome. Sarah comforted the mom when nobody else could. The mom came to Sarah crying and speaking to her about her sadness over her son's condition and poor outcome. The mom stated, "I just never imagined my life without him." Sarah gave the mom a hug and explained that even though he would not be here with her in the way she imagined, he would always be with her watching over her and walking beside her. The mom and Sarah then talked about where the patient was going after his life ended here and how he was going to be able to run and talk and do all the things he loved. Sarah let the mom talk to her about her beliefs, validated how wonderful a life the patient had, and spoke to the mom about the wonderful times they had together. Sarah then helped the mom lay with him in bed for the last time. These situations are so tough and Sarah always handles them with such empathy and grace.

...

On 2 separate occasions, Sarah has shined in her ability to be empathetic, supportive, compassionate, and professional. She has such a gift of building rapport with families. On one instance, she provided her dying patient's mom with the best possible experience she could have on the worst night of her life. She arranged for both parents to lay in the family bed (obtained from 4 Henson) with the patient for the last time. She answered questions honestly and thoughtfully about how things were going to proceed. The second instance was more recent, and again the patient was taking a turn for the worst. This was not her patient that shift and she provided that patient's mom with supportive, active listening as mom began processing and decision making for end of life. Sarah is a great team player and an even better patient and family advocate.