Rick Jones has demonstrated that he works collaboratively with others by establishing and leading teams to help develop and obtain new tools for nurses to improve their practice. He continually urges all nurses to use "critical thinking" to find solutions to managing their patients. He empowers everyone to make a difference and is grateful for the dedication and devotion all of us share with our patients and one another every day. He serves as a role model for the nursing profession by demonstrating to all the belief that if you find it, you own it. It is his belief that you practice to your license; the whole scope of your license. He would never hand off patient care at the end of shift because he wants to go home.
He also serves as a role model for his commitment to being a team player. When he is needed, he works. He never refuses to lend a hand. He communicates clearly and effectively with all co-workers, patients and caregivers. Rick holds and has held many teaching positions. He has excellent communication skills with patients and caregivers as well. He easily engages them in conversation and guides them as to what to expect while they are here with us. Setting patient expectations does much to relieve the fear and anxiety that is associated with illness and hospital stays.
His enthusiasm for what he does is boundless. And, part of being a good communicator is listening. Rick listens with empathy and compassion. He makes special connections with all his patients. Especially the way he treats then with such dignity and respect. He does not ever forget who they are. They are to him, mothers, fathers, doctors, engineers, people not patients, who if not for their disease, would be in the world doing what they were meant to do.
Most recently, he significantly made a difference in the life of a patient. A patient experienced cardiac arrest in the parking lot. Rick was the first responder, found no pulse and immediately initiated CPR. The patient survived.