I've been a Book Cart volunteer at Beaumont Trenton though I have recently been acting as a Care Companion, a role I enjoy as it provides patients extended interpersonal opportunities.
Recently, I began on the 5th floor and was speaking with staff regarding patient needs. It was apparent from the repetitive yelling coming from a nearby room that an (elderly) patient had been in some distress and that the nurses were hoping that my presence with her might give some comfort, if only briefly.
Upon entering her room, it was evident that more than simply talking was going to be effective and would require additional interventional strategies. At that moment in came PICC Nurse, Denise who happened by and heard the wailing. She immediately went to the patient's bedside, addressed her by name, took her hand in hers and rubbed it and her arm, while soothing her with softly spoken words, appealing to the patient's maternal instincts and telling her that there was a baby trying to go to sleep. Denise requested a warm blanket from another nurse and created a wrapped, swaddled baby which she cradled into the patient's arms and chest, continuing to stroke her arm and gently verbally coercing her to be still so the baby could sleep. Within minutes the patient began to relax, called out 2-3 times and then slowly drifted to sleep.
From my perspective, this was a unique experience to watch unfold and a learning opportunity despite my care in mental health outside the daily hospital environment.
While I can attest to the wonderful attention and care provided by staff that I see during my volunteer services, this nurse's simple and kind act stood out. Her quick thinking as she happened by effected a change in a patient's behavior that benefitted staff, other patients in the area, as well as guests who most likely were perturbed by the constant wailing. Denise is a true DAISY Nurse.