S was admitted to the hospital over 60 days ago and was transferred to 11ER shortly after her initial admission. In the report given to 11ER on S, she was known as the screaming, yelling lady no one could understand or make feel better. Due to her inability to make her own decisions and lack of family support, S needed extra attention and time. Maggie has given her the extra time and care that she needed. Each day Maggie works, S is given the assistance she needs to sitting in her recliner, and brought out to the nurses' station to help with her social interaction.
As S has improved both mentality and physically, Maggie has made sure ancillary staff including PT, OT, ST, and nutrition are aware and that updates in her care are provided. Now that S is alert, oriented and capable of making her own decisions, Maggie is alerting Case Management to ensure her discharge plan is reexamined. It is because of the consideration that Maggie has provided and the care that Maggie has ensured for S, that she is now thriving and close to getting out of the hospital.
Maggie is not only one of the best nurses in the world, but also one of the best advocates for each of her patients. A quote from S when I asked her about Maggie: "She is always smiling. She treats me good, like a human being when other people do not."
Maggie Shaw has always been an exemplary nurse. She is intelligent, inquisitive, and passionate. Over the past several months our unit has watched just how truly impactful the care and respect she gives her patients can be.
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On our medical-surgical unit, we often find ourselves caring for patients with complicated social situations that require them to spend long periods of time in the hospital. When this patient arrived on our unit she constantly screamed out and writhed around in bed in pain. She had been a victim of financial exploitation and was withdrawn. To be honest, at times taking care of her took a lot of patience.
From the beginning, Maggie was an advocate for this patient. She helped her get up to the chair, despite her protests and played an instrumental part in implementing an adequate pain regimen for her. She slowly became more cooperative and motivated. She refused many of her medications, but with Maggie's persistence in explaining their significance, she began to take them regularly. Last week I saw this patient sitting in the chair, legs crossed, tennis shoes on, and reading the paper. She had a clip in her well-groomed hair and a smile on her face. I watched her walk in the hallway. I was there when she had a fall because she felt well enough to try to walk on her own. She is knowledgeable, articulate and has many interesting life experiences. She is not the same patient I met the first time I took care of her on our unit.
The care Maggie provides to her may not seem extraordinary to some, but in my opinion, it was the respect she gave this patient that has caused her to flourish while on our unit. When others may have looked at her and assumed she was senile or demented because of her age and appearance Maggie saw a woman in need of a little extra care. She took the time to explain the significance of the treatments she had been refusing and this made all the difference in her compliance. She took a special interest in her well-being because it was the right thing to do and she has no one else.
Maggie Shaw has always been an inspirational nurse, but this situation exemplifies Maggie's attributes in all areas of life. Not only does she care for others at work, but she regularly serves the underprivileged and gives back to her community. Maggie has made a lasting impact in the life of this woman and motivates those around her to make a difference as well.