Debbie Wendt
September 2021
Deborah
Wendt
,
BSN, RN
4East
HCA West Florida Blake Medical Center
Bradenton
,
FL
United States
I asked Debbie to please allow my son to FaceTime his father before it was too late. Debbie got in her car and drove to the hospital hours before she was scheduled to work, to make this happen.
There was a day that 4E only had 2 core nurses scheduled and I floated 5 nurses to them including 2 HT RNs. One of the HT nurses spoke to me when left. She said that it was such a “well-oiled machine” and that “Debbie is on top of everything and really engages with patients and staff”. She was surprised to learn that there had only been 2 core staff. She said, “It went so well with all the floats. It speaks well of the leadership of the department”. I have also had both of my night 2E charges request to have their newer employees that are floating for the first time on day shift go to 4E because as they both said “They will have a good experience because Debbie will be there and make sure of it”. I just feel like she deserves to be recognized.
***
She is a very strong leader. She is always supporting her staff members and ensuring they are provided with whatever is necessary to provide safe and effective care to our patients. She truly cares about her staff and it shows. Not only does she care for the staff members, she cares very much for the patients and will go above and beyond to provide excellent and safe care. She is not afraid to jump in and assist her team whenever we need her. I have heard several co-workers agree that she is a very strong leader, has changed 4e for the better, and is an amazing supportive manager.
Recently, my ex-husband was admitted to the Emergency room for shortness of breath and what ended up being diagnosed as COVID and Pneumonia. He alerted me that he was in my ER and I stopped by to see him. He was short of breath but sitting up in bed talking to me. We discussed our son and that I would keep him until he was out of the hospital. Which we were thinking would be 4-5 days.
The following Monday I spoke to the manager of the unit, Debbie Wendt. Since I knew Debbie for several years and she knew my ex-husband from his time as a police officer and her time as an ER nurse, we knew he was in good hands. Debbie took time out of her very busy day to update me on his condition. Although it was not easy for her, she was very honest with me on how sick he was. She encouraged me to sit my son down and talk to him. I called my immediate family to the house and we sat my 11year old son down and we told him how sick his dad was. The next morning at 5 am, Debbie called me personally to let me know we were declining and would be placed on a Bipap. The nursing perspective knew what we had feared, what Debbie had prepared me for was happening. I asked Debbie to please allow my son to FaceTime his father before it was too late. Debbie got in her car and drove to the hospital hours before she was scheduled to work, to make this happen. When Debbie arrived, N was too tired and afraid to scare our son with the mask, so N refused. Debbie kept us updated all morning. At 10 am Debbie called again. She said it was time to intubate and his chances of coming off the vent would be low. I begged Debbie to make N say goodbye to our son, to let B hear his dad’s voice for the last time. Debbie worked a miracle and made this happen for B. B was able to see and hear his dad for a few moments. He told his dad how much he loved him and how much he would miss him. This was so valuable to not only N and B but our whole family. N was transferred to the ICU that afternoon and 6 days later passed away peacefully and knowing his son loved and missed him.
Although one might say Debbie acted above and beyond because she knew our family, I must say this is not true. I have known Debbie since before I was a nurse. I was an ER tech in nursing school and I saw these interactions between Debbie and her patients time after time. She is what we should all strive to be like. She is the most compassionate and dedicated nurse to each and every patient she encounters. Debbie will always carry a special place in our hearts.
***
She is a very strong leader. She is always supporting her staff members and ensuring they are provided with whatever is necessary to provide safe and effective care to our patients. She truly cares about her staff and it shows. Not only does she care for the staff members, she cares very much for the patients and will go above and beyond to provide excellent and safe care. She is not afraid to jump in and assist her team whenever we need her. I have heard several co-workers agree that she is a very strong leader, has changed 4e for the better, and is an amazing supportive manager.
Recently, my ex-husband was admitted to the Emergency room for shortness of breath and what ended up being diagnosed as COVID and Pneumonia. He alerted me that he was in my ER and I stopped by to see him. He was short of breath but sitting up in bed talking to me. We discussed our son and that I would keep him until he was out of the hospital. Which we were thinking would be 4-5 days.
The following Monday I spoke to the manager of the unit, Debbie Wendt. Since I knew Debbie for several years and she knew my ex-husband from his time as a police officer and her time as an ER nurse, we knew he was in good hands. Debbie took time out of her very busy day to update me on his condition. Although it was not easy for her, she was very honest with me on how sick he was. She encouraged me to sit my son down and talk to him. I called my immediate family to the house and we sat my 11year old son down and we told him how sick his dad was. The next morning at 5 am, Debbie called me personally to let me know we were declining and would be placed on a Bipap. The nursing perspective knew what we had feared, what Debbie had prepared me for was happening. I asked Debbie to please allow my son to FaceTime his father before it was too late. Debbie got in her car and drove to the hospital hours before she was scheduled to work, to make this happen. When Debbie arrived, N was too tired and afraid to scare our son with the mask, so N refused. Debbie kept us updated all morning. At 10 am Debbie called again. She said it was time to intubate and his chances of coming off the vent would be low. I begged Debbie to make N say goodbye to our son, to let B hear his dad’s voice for the last time. Debbie worked a miracle and made this happen for B. B was able to see and hear his dad for a few moments. He told his dad how much he loved him and how much he would miss him. This was so valuable to not only N and B but our whole family. N was transferred to the ICU that afternoon and 6 days later passed away peacefully and knowing his son loved and missed him.
Although one might say Debbie acted above and beyond because she knew our family, I must say this is not true. I have known Debbie since before I was a nurse. I was an ER tech in nursing school and I saw these interactions between Debbie and her patients time after time. She is what we should all strive to be like. She is the most compassionate and dedicated nurse to each and every patient she encounters. Debbie will always carry a special place in our hearts.