Karen Parker
October 2021
Karen
Parker
,
RN
Care Management, ICU and Step Down
Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital
Avon
,
OH
United States
I can truly say that I love working with Karen and feel lucky to get to work with such a wonderful person.
Karen is the greatest example of what all nurses should strive to be. She is caring, compassionate, and truly invested in doing what is right for her patients. Karen is often involved with very challenging cases and works hard to make sure the patients and families feel heard and supported.
One example of Karen going above and beyond involves a patient that has frequently been admitted to Avon Hospital over the past several years. The patient was vent-dependent and required total care. This patient's wife was extremely involved in his care and Karen built a very supportive and respectful relationship with her. Over the years, the patient's wife would always remember Karen and would look to her for support, knowing she would listen to her concerns.
During this patient's last hospital stay, he had declined significantly and a hospice meeting was planned. Several family members came into the hospital for this meeting. Karen had built such a wonderful relationship with this patient's wife that she asked Karen to please participate in the hospice meeting with the family. It was clear that Karen was valued and respected by her.
Another occasion that showcases what a truly wonderful person Karen is, involves a COVID patient with a very long length of stay. Karen would sit and talk with this patient and try to help boost his spirits as his progress was very slow. One day she spoke to this patient and he was very tearful that he had not seen his 7-year-old child for over a month. Karen looked at the protocol for visitation and approached the nurse manager to discuss if it was possible to allow his child to visit. Karen was concerned for the patient's well-being and felt a family visit would be beneficial to his recovery process. The nurse manager obtained approval and his family was able to visit, the patient was very tearful and grateful. Having his family visit had a clear impact on him and he became more motivated to get better. Karen is such an asset to the team in critical care. She is looked to by all for advice and guidance. I can truly say that I love working with Karen and feel lucky to get to work with such a wonderful person.
One example of Karen going above and beyond involves a patient that has frequently been admitted to Avon Hospital over the past several years. The patient was vent-dependent and required total care. This patient's wife was extremely involved in his care and Karen built a very supportive and respectful relationship with her. Over the years, the patient's wife would always remember Karen and would look to her for support, knowing she would listen to her concerns.
During this patient's last hospital stay, he had declined significantly and a hospice meeting was planned. Several family members came into the hospital for this meeting. Karen had built such a wonderful relationship with this patient's wife that she asked Karen to please participate in the hospice meeting with the family. It was clear that Karen was valued and respected by her.
Another occasion that showcases what a truly wonderful person Karen is, involves a COVID patient with a very long length of stay. Karen would sit and talk with this patient and try to help boost his spirits as his progress was very slow. One day she spoke to this patient and he was very tearful that he had not seen his 7-year-old child for over a month. Karen looked at the protocol for visitation and approached the nurse manager to discuss if it was possible to allow his child to visit. Karen was concerned for the patient's well-being and felt a family visit would be beneficial to his recovery process. The nurse manager obtained approval and his family was able to visit, the patient was very tearful and grateful. Having his family visit had a clear impact on him and he became more motivated to get better. Karen is such an asset to the team in critical care. She is looked to by all for advice and guidance. I can truly say that I love working with Karen and feel lucky to get to work with such a wonderful person.