Raisa graciously agreed to cover the first 2 hours of my shift on Friday so I could take my son to an important doctor's appointment. I arrived on the floor around 8:15 p.m. There was a situation going on. A patient was in rapid AFIB w/ RVR with a rate as high as the 170s. RRT was in the room along with the charge nurse, another RN, a NA, and the patient's son (who spoke English). The patient was an 88-year-old female who had an NSTEMI and was decompensating. The patient was confused and only spoke Russian.
Raisa, who happens to speak Russian, was working along with other staff to stabilize the patient. We completed the bedside report and report on the other 2 patients in our assignment. Raisa then proceeded to give the 9 p.m. meds to our other patient so I could assume care with our critically unstable patient. All the while popping in to see if we needed anything and to see if the family member needed anything since she had a good rapport with him and could communicate well with him.
The patient continued to deteriorate, the son spoke with his siblings, and they were leaning towards comfort measures only. After she finished administering my meds, she clocked out. However, she did not leave. She stayed with the patient and her son and assisted with using the language line so that the hospitalist could communicate with the son effectively in Russian with a translator. She provided emotional support to the son and the patient. Raisa did not leave till after 10 p.m., well after her end time of 7:15 p.m. and well after my arrival at 8:15.
Raisa went far and above, providing excellent nursing care while being compassionate and empathetic to the needs of this particular situation. It was wonderful that she was assigned this patient since she spoke their language. That, along with her professional and caring practice, helped make a difficult decision for the family just a little bit easier. I believe that Raisa is a true DAISY Nurse.