Sometimes in life, when we are lucky, we find ourselves in the presence of grace when we need it the most. I was fortunate to have had that experience with Jessi Atkins, RN. My husband, V, had a massive stroke and was admitted to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center ICU through the ER. Over the next 24 hours, CT scans and MRIs revealed the profound, permanent damage that was done. I had to make the heartbreaking, and traumatic, decision to transition him to comfort care, this man who lived larger than life and never had so much as a fever.
He was transferred to the Nursing Unit 2 North where Jessi was our nurse. I do say "our" nurse because Jessi extended compassionate care to me as well as for my husband. She made sure he had everything he needed to ensure the highest level of comfort care. When I had questions, an event happened or something needed to be changed, Jessi explained what was happening. She also made sure I had basic comforts of food, water, and a comfortable chair during my stay. Jessi fully grasped the gravity of the situation and offered to bring me dinner from the cafeteria so I wouldn't have to leave V's side because this is intrinsically who Jessi is.
On his last day, I noticed V's breathing changed yet I couldn't accurately describe it. Jessi has an intuitive communication ability; she listened to my description with her nurse ears and heard my emotional concerns with her heart. She watched, listened, and assessed his condition then discussed it with me so we could make a decision about how to proceed with his care. Recognizing my own pain and grief, she reassured me in an elevated, compassionate way that he was not in pain. Jessi has a heightened ability to build immediate trust with those who need it the most in a vulnerable time. As I sat by his bedside, Jessi was leaving, she stopped and asked if I would mind if she sat with me for a few minutes so I could tell her about V and his story. She gives compassionate care to her patients but this thoughtful gesture showed me that she was also interested in him as the person, too. Asking me to tell her his story allowed me to remember the robust, full life he lived and take me emotionally away from the sadness.
There are good nurses with strong clinical skills, knowledge, and experience--and Jessi has all of these strengths, more importantly, though, she has an innate spark, a natural gift of human compassion that cannot be taught. I am so thankful and feel blessed to have had Jessi as our nurse. While I made sure my husband knew he was not alone, Jessi made sure I knew that I wasn't alone either. I'm so grateful for her presence. Jessi's natural abilities and willingness to help patients and families in their time of need not only go above and beyond required nursing care she exceeds all expectations. For these reasons, and more, I strongly believe Jessi Atkins is a true DAISY Nurse.