I went into emergent surgery following a running battle with a fistula. I was told of the potential outcomes. Having worked with John Gustafson as a patient previously, I was greatly relieved to see him. He worked with great care to ensure I emerged safety from this terrifying ordeal.
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For the past 8 years, I have had the privilege to work with John. We work together and have fun too. He is truly a dedicated and the most hard-working RN I know. He is extraordinary in his performance. John is a Registered Nurse that makes a difference in Patients' and their families lives and the lives of his fellow nurses.
Recently John received a very special note from one of our patients that said Live Each Day with a Grateful Heart.
"Dear John, Thursday morning my dear husband died. You were the angel who walked him and us through his last hours and minutes. We can't thank you enough for your kindness, compassion, honesty, and respect shown to Richard, his daughter and myself. His last breaths were in comfort and in peace. Thank you for your skills and empathy."
I personally saw John in action that day balancing his responsibilities to other patients and this patient and his family. John does not sit on the sidelines; he jumps in on behalf of the profession because he cares, shows up, and fights for what is right. He attends Legislative Day in Olympia every year and votes, too.
John has worked on our 7th floor Shared Governance Committee helping develop communication tools for nurses on various procedures such as Epidurals, Various Tubes and drains and the Whipple procedure too. If he sees something wrong that could be better or safer for patients and nurses he always takes action. He has been a member of the Patient Experience Committee and the Committee on Sepsis here at SJMC. He was on the Kronos Committee and is on the Conference Committee. He is the current co-chair of the Safety Staffing Committee; he volunteers his time as an elected cabinet member, WSNA and as an elected local grievance officer here at our hospital supporting fellow Registered Nurses when they need it. John shares what he learns.
This year John has attended the ANA conference in Orlando, Florida on innovation and just last week took time off to attend the AFT Convention in Pittsburgh where he spoke on the floor promoting the prevention of Workplace Violence. John works well with all members of the healthcare team, he reaches out and has helped his fellow nurses to come certified RN's. As you can see, RICE is clearly demonstrated and practiced.