Jennifer Singleton
August 2015
Jennifer
Singleton
,
BSN, RN
VAST
Bronson Methodist Hospital
Kalamazoo
,
MI
United States
The DAISY Award has always held special meaning for me. I am lucky enough to have survived and conquered ITP, the disease that J. Patrick Barnes unfortunately lost his life to. As a nurse, I see the great things that nurses do each and every day, so you can say it takes a lot to "impress me." When you work in healthcare, it's never easy being on the flip side of things.
Recently, my family called to say my uncle was in critical condition at Bronson ER due to DKA, but we didn't know any other details. I rushed over and was directed to MICU. I was the first family member to get to his room. Nothing prepares you to see your loved one laying in the ICU, on a ventilator. Emotions hit me hard and I lost it. The doctor came in and proceeded to tell me my uncle's heart had stopped briefly while in the ER. Another wave of emotions hit me and I was sobbing uncontrollably. At that moment, Jennifer walked in the room to assist with central line placement. She immediately took me in her arms and held me so tightly. There is nothing I needed more than a shoulder to cry on and comforting words. This is one of life's moments that I refer to as "a God thing."
Several years ago, the tables were turned and I was the nurse caring for her father as he was fighting a brave battle with cancer. Anyone could have walked through that ICU door, but there was a reason it was Jennifer. As peers, there is a unique bond between nurses but that there is nothing stronger than when you have the privilege of caring for a peer's family member. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to care for her father and even more grateful to have had Jennifer care for my uncle and our family.
Day in and day out, nurses are responsible for taking care of the physical needs of their patients and families. That's our "job". There are a certain few that go above and beyond and have an innate sense when even a hug or an encouraging comment makes the biggest difference. Having worked with Jennifer for years, I know that the empathy and caring that she poured onto me and my family is something she does each and every day.
Jen epitomizes the meaning of the DAISY Award.
Recently, my family called to say my uncle was in critical condition at Bronson ER due to DKA, but we didn't know any other details. I rushed over and was directed to MICU. I was the first family member to get to his room. Nothing prepares you to see your loved one laying in the ICU, on a ventilator. Emotions hit me hard and I lost it. The doctor came in and proceeded to tell me my uncle's heart had stopped briefly while in the ER. Another wave of emotions hit me and I was sobbing uncontrollably. At that moment, Jennifer walked in the room to assist with central line placement. She immediately took me in her arms and held me so tightly. There is nothing I needed more than a shoulder to cry on and comforting words. This is one of life's moments that I refer to as "a God thing."
Several years ago, the tables were turned and I was the nurse caring for her father as he was fighting a brave battle with cancer. Anyone could have walked through that ICU door, but there was a reason it was Jennifer. As peers, there is a unique bond between nurses but that there is nothing stronger than when you have the privilege of caring for a peer's family member. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to care for her father and even more grateful to have had Jennifer care for my uncle and our family.
Day in and day out, nurses are responsible for taking care of the physical needs of their patients and families. That's our "job". There are a certain few that go above and beyond and have an innate sense when even a hug or an encouraging comment makes the biggest difference. Having worked with Jennifer for years, I know that the empathy and caring that she poured onto me and my family is something she does each and every day.
Jen epitomizes the meaning of the DAISY Award.