Kristen Mullenax
May 2022
Kristen
Mullenax
,
RN CRRN
Bridgeport Encompass Health and Rehabilitation Hospital
Encompass Health and Rehabilitation Hospital
Bridgeport
,
WV
United States
I have never witnessed a more beautiful, compassionate display than what I saw that morning. I do not have the words to give justice to the way that Kristen spoke to that patient’s wife.
I would like to take a minute and send you this email about something I feel rather passionately about. From the exact minute that I first heard you talk about the DAISY Award there was one name alone that popped into my head. Though she would never consider herself for such an award, and I feel that that humility in itself speaks volumes. This person truly embodies what it means to be a nurse. Compassion; Knowledge; Positivity; The ability to motivate; her traits are endless. Absolutely endless. I have worked with her when she was a staff nurse, when she was a Supervisor and now in her current role as Manager. No matter what title she has held she never fails to amaze me. It is not just me that she impresses though. I think if you were to take a poll in Bridgeport you would be hard pressed to find a single staff member that didn't think the world of Kristen. I cannot tell you how many patients and family members that I have spoken to that have remembered Kristen specifically during their stay with us. She has a way about her that just makes you feel reassured; like you are being well taken care of whether you are a patient or a staff member.
I could write pages telling you anecdotes about all the times I have been moved by Kristen, but there is one time in particular that I will never forget: We had a patient in Bridgeport who was a DNR. I believe the plan was for him to be discharged with hospice. Unfortunately he did not make it home and he passed away here with us in the early hours of the morning. My first instinct was to call Kristen, as it happens she was already walking into the building. She called the patient's wife to tell her the news, and I have never witnessed a more beautiful, compassionate display than what I saw that morning. I do not have the words to give justice to the way that Kristen spoke to that patient’s wife. I remember thinking in that moment that if I could be half the nurse that she is then I would feel accomplished in my life. Anyone that knows me would tell you that crying or displays of emotion are not my forte, but that day it was hard not to be emotional listening to Kristen deliver the worst kind of news in the most amazing way.
I could write pages telling you anecdotes about all the times I have been moved by Kristen, but there is one time in particular that I will never forget: We had a patient in Bridgeport who was a DNR. I believe the plan was for him to be discharged with hospice. Unfortunately he did not make it home and he passed away here with us in the early hours of the morning. My first instinct was to call Kristen, as it happens she was already walking into the building. She called the patient's wife to tell her the news, and I have never witnessed a more beautiful, compassionate display than what I saw that morning. I do not have the words to give justice to the way that Kristen spoke to that patient’s wife. I remember thinking in that moment that if I could be half the nurse that she is then I would feel accomplished in my life. Anyone that knows me would tell you that crying or displays of emotion are not my forte, but that day it was hard not to be emotional listening to Kristen deliver the worst kind of news in the most amazing way.