July 2022
Ashley
Culp
,
RN
Neuro/EMU/Onc/Med-Surg
Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas
Austin
,
TX
United States
Ashley related later how they had cried together and comforted each other.
I have watched Ashley’s care of a young patient with a poor prognosis this week. Her caring and kindness for this patient go above many of our own nursing care standards. Examples of her care tonight alone: The patient actually was married today in our hospital (in his room). Many family members were here this evening, congratulating him and his new wife, as well as saying their goodbyes to a loved one. Ashley bought them an order of Tiff’s Treats cookies, which they loved. The patient can only (or only wants to) eat purple popsicles. Ashley scoured the floors for purple popsicles, as they alone bring him a little bit of joy. The patient’s parents arrived today from another country. Ashley witnessed the mother off by herself, alone and away from the other family members, as she tried to make sense of this horrible diagnosis that her son had been given. Ashley pulled out her phone’s translation app and asked if the patient’s mother wanted to go visit the hospital’s chapel. The mother clasped her hands together in gratitude, and the two of them went to the chapel. Ashley related later how they had cried together and comforted each other. These examples are just one day in the life of Ashley as a nurse. Love, dignity, and respect are what we strive for, but how Ashley lives each day.