November 2020
Brian
Schmitz
,
BSN, RN
ED
Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center
Brian got special permission to designate the consult room for the wife and daughter. He also got games and coloring books for the daughter.
A Veteran presented for the 2nd time in two weeks with severe headaches. His wife was sobbing, anxious, and scared. She was afraid he had COVID or worse and was inconsolable. She also had her 5-year-old with her. Brian was the triage RN. Instead of being consumed in the busyness of the day he paused and saw the Veteran's family needed to be cared for too. He got special permission to designate the consult room for the wife and daughter. He also got games and coloring books for the daughter. He then coordinated with the doctors to come to talk with the wife and explain things to help relieve her anxiety. Brian truly went above and beyond plus demonstrated what it means to really care.