Juliana Danson
June 2021
Juliana
Danson
,
RN, BSN
Emergency Department
Swedish - Edmonds
Edmonds
,
WA
United States
Juliana continued to answer his questions with compassion and understanding, she did not show being overwhelmed by her first death in the ED and looked for guidance as she supported the son through this hard situation.
Why I think Juliana is deserving of a DAISY Award is the continued growth, humility to learn, the compassion she has for not only the patients she interacts with but their families, and other staff members. She keeps the environment she works in safe, with a deeper awareness of her surroundings and those she is interacting with during hectic codes, and for those at end-of-life. She strives to maintain a patient’s and family’s dignity while in and out of the room, being respectful to who they are and what they are going through while in her care.
Where I saw this demonstrated was through two different encounters in the ED, both difficult situations in which I was called in to support family and staff in end-of-life situations. The first time was when an elderly lady passed away, and her son was quite despondent to his mother’s passing. He kept asking questions, as he began processing this hard loss, and how to tell his dad who had dementia. This was the first time since Covid had shut down visiting at this facility his parents lived in that he had seen his mother and had to make the difficult decision to stop treatment because the patient was truly at end of life. Juliana continued to answer his questions with compassion and understanding, she did not show being overwhelmed by her first death in the ED and looked for guidance as she supported the son through this hard situation. She showed integrity by not diminishing his loss or try to redirect him to shorten the process. She monitored the situation, responding to his needs so that the son felt heard, was not rushed, was able to grieve, process the experience, and even thanked us for being there for him.
Each time I am able to work with her, I know that not only will the patient be taken care of in an excellent manner, but I have also come to count on her in the ED. I also feel confident in knowing the family will be in good hands once I am no longer needed as a Chaplain.
Where I saw this demonstrated was through two different encounters in the ED, both difficult situations in which I was called in to support family and staff in end-of-life situations. The first time was when an elderly lady passed away, and her son was quite despondent to his mother’s passing. He kept asking questions, as he began processing this hard loss, and how to tell his dad who had dementia. This was the first time since Covid had shut down visiting at this facility his parents lived in that he had seen his mother and had to make the difficult decision to stop treatment because the patient was truly at end of life. Juliana continued to answer his questions with compassion and understanding, she did not show being overwhelmed by her first death in the ED and looked for guidance as she supported the son through this hard situation. She showed integrity by not diminishing his loss or try to redirect him to shorten the process. She monitored the situation, responding to his needs so that the son felt heard, was not rushed, was able to grieve, process the experience, and even thanked us for being there for him.
Each time I am able to work with her, I know that not only will the patient be taken care of in an excellent manner, but I have also come to count on her in the ED. I also feel confident in knowing the family will be in good hands once I am no longer needed as a Chaplain.