When working with Jodi this past weekend, a patient whom we had been taking care of on our unit for a long time, passed away. Her decline was very quick, and there was a lot of frustration amongst the nurses regarding the medical management of her condition. Throughout her stay that spanned two months, Jodi cared for this patient multiple times. Always professional and going above and beyond to make the patient comfortable with our staff who had all but become her family throughout the span of two months that she was with us. This patient was a special woman and even came in with her hair dyed purple, which we all loved. As her stay went on, her hair faded. Jodi brought in purple hair coloring for this patient so that her hair could be touched up, which really brightened up this patient's stay during her tough times going back and forth to the OR.
Jodi is very meticulous and skilled when it comes to dressing and ostomy changes, both of which this patient required regularly. She would always make sure to spend extra time with this patient, making sure her dressings were changed with love and care. She would brush this patient's hair at her request and did everything in her power to let this patient know that she was loved and cared for by the staff on our floor.
Friday afternoon, this patient's condition drastically became worse, and it was decided that her code status would be changed to DNR/DNI. It was a hard weekend for all of us, knowing that she would not last much longer, but also a relief knowing that her suffering would soon end. On Sunday during the night shift, Jodi was assigned to this patient as well as four others, and also was the charge nurse for the unit that night. As the patient's heart rate slowly decreased over the course of the shift, she was at the bedside as often as she could be, holding this patient's hand and talking to her. Around 0330, we all saw the patient's heart rate begin to dip down lower and lower, and we all knew it was time. The four other nurses on shift that night followed Jodi into the room and stood with the patient, holding her hands and talking to her. She was the most senior nurse on the floor that night, and she knew exactly what needed to be done. She directed one nurse to call the team and directed me to call the patient's niece, who was her closest family member and also her POA. We placed a phone next to the patient's ear so that she could hear her niece speak, and she did not leave the patient's side until she passed.
This was a very hard situation for all staff working that night, and Jodi still managed to keep her composure and make sure that the rest of the floor was under control for the oncoming shift who would begin to arrive in just two short hours. The rest of us, not having had many experiences with death in our short careers, all looked to Jodi for direction on the post-mortem care for the patient, which we had either never done before or had not done very often. The entire time, she was so full of poise and grace.
Despite not having her family at the bedside, I truly believe that her passing was a peaceful one and I truly and honestly believe that having Jodi as her nurse played a huge part in that. Jodi is one of the most compassionate nurses I have ever met in my entire life, let alone in my short career. She is always kind and always seems to know what needs to be done. I truly admire her and am so grateful for the opportunity to work with her. She embodies what a nurse truly should be, and I strive to be more like her. I know that if any member of my family were in the hospital, I would trust her with their care in a heartbeat.