Ivana Blaskan is a registered Nurse working in the ICU at Lourdes Medical Center in Pasco, WA.  I worked alongside her and watched her give loving care to all her patients.  She was a willing coworker when it came to being a team player.   Ivana took loving care of her patients young and old with a comprehensive understanding of their diagnosis.  She used compassion to take her care to the next level. 
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I remember a particularly critical patient who she fought to keep alive with every trick in the book.  The family was afraid and anxious and she took care of them too.  When it was apparent that she was not going to win this battle, she turned to the family.   She was compassionate and helped them to get prepared for her moment of passing.  She used education, prayer, and encouraged their communication with her and amongst themselves.

In the last few hours, Ivana had them help in the bathing and hands-on care, so they could feel more connected to her before passing.  It was beautiful.  They all began telling stories of their mother's life and soon the environment became calm and peaceful.  She rarely came out of the room so she could remain with them.  The Doctor came and conferenced with the family and two of them discussed the next step.  The family was ready to allow their loved one to quit the suffering and pass peacefully.  It was a very beautiful ending to a life story.