Tabitha Goldhammer
July 2020
Tabitha
Goldhammer
,
RN
Emergency Department
WellSpan York Hospital
York
,
PA
United States

 

 

 

One day, Tabitha was working with patients in the front of the Pod when she heard a patient yelling at security from the other end of the unit. When Tabitha came to the back of the unit to assist, she found a room full of security guards with an extremely angry, agitated crisis patient who was ready to fight staff. She came into the room with care and compassion that made the atmosphere of the room more relaxed. While the patient was still very agitated with security being in the room, she was able to redirect the patient and bring the patient's anger to a more manageable level. She talked to the patient with the most care that a nurse could have. She reasoned with the patient when he was unreasonable. She explained our procedures and was able to level with him and calm him down to where she felt safe in the room without security. She sat there and talked to the patient and gained respect from him. The patient trusted her and allowed her to treat him while others couldn't. She made sure that the patient ate something and had something to drink. She got the patient warm blankets and convinced him to lay down and sleep. Tabitha was able to sit down and show true compassion to a patient who wasn't even her patient. She prevented a patient from fighting security. She prevented a patient from being moved into seclusion. She prevented a patient from involuntarily being medicated because of their actions. Tabitha showed great compassion for patients of hers and others and she does it day in and day out. She is a great example of how wonderful our Emergency Nurses are!