I was floated to SSICU as a sitter and stayed with the gentleman I was sitting for as he was transferred to 5 East. The patient was very confused and his confusion increased during the activity of the transfer—lines and tubes were disconnected, he was rolled into a new bed and taken in that bed through the halls, up the elevator, into his new room and reconnected again. As flustered as he was with all the activity, and with the business of the two units, it took a minute or so to reorient him to the new surroundings.
Suddenly out of the blue, appeared Julie Semrow, the nurse who had cared for him when he was first admitted to the hospital. She walked in, greeted him by name, re-introduced herself, and reminded him why he was here, where he had been (surgery at one point), and told him how glad she was to have him back on 5 East, her unit. He was so glad to see a familiar face himself; he just smiled and began conversing. She asked him where he'd like to be; he responded, "Home." She then reassured him that that was where he was headed; he was back on 5 East because he was doing so well, and by passing through 5 East, she knew and could tell him he was definitely better than he had been, and on his way toward recovery and home. He was delighted!
After spending those reassuring moments of time with him, Julie asked his nurse what she could do to help. Yes, there were, indeed, a couple of things she could help with; trying him on a nasal cannula instead of a mask for oxygen and advancing his nasogastric tube. Julie returned her attention to the patient and explained all that she was about to do, and talked to him while she was attending to him. He was very cooperative with her, trusting her with his cares as she continued to speak to him and work gently with him.
I got to witness team spirit in the person of Julie Semrow, RN. That is why I am nominating her for the DAISY Award.