Olivia B Balzano
March 2022
Olivia B
Balzano
,
RN I
8 Mountain ICU
Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
Roanoke
,
VA
United States
Olivia quickly realized that he would be unable to get anything for his wife, so she immediately jumped into action! That night she collected some flowers, cards, and balloons.
Over the past two years, 8 Mountain ICU has been at the epicenter of COVID. During that time, the staff has really strived to cultivate a warm and comforting environment for those hospitalized often without family present.
Recently, we had a patient spend an extended length of time ( I am guessing around 6wks). This patient had a complicated admission and often required high levels of care and attention. Once the patient was outside the 21 day window his wife became a fixture at his bedside each day. When a patient spends this length of time on a unit, it is hard to not begin to consider them a part of the family. We all celebrated each milestone that he achieved and helped to overcome any setback that endured. Olivia worked closely with this patient and got to know him and his wife.
In February, as Valentine's Day approached Olivia was talking with the patient and she realized it was his wedding anniversary the next day. Olivia quickly realized that he would be unable to get anything for his wife, so she immediately jumped into action! That night she collected some flowers, cards, and balloons. When she returned the following day she, with the help of the patient and other staff on the unit that shift had everything set up for 9 am. The patient's wife was always very prompt and they knew she would be there right when visitation hours opened. The joy that Olivia brought was tangible. It spread throughout the unit. While it might have begun as a morale booster for one individual, it quickly spread throughout the unit. One thing that we have realized over the past 2 years is that it is important to celebrate the wins both large and small. This was a win. Something so small truly can have a lasting impact on the care we provide to our patients. It is in these moments that we truly see nursing at its finest.
That day we were all celebrating the patient and his wife. We were unified. My nomination of Olivia is a reminder that often sometimes the small things can go unnoticed, but that they often have the biggest impact. Thank you Olivia for taking the time to remind us of the importance of celebrating all of life's victories.
Recently, we had a patient spend an extended length of time ( I am guessing around 6wks). This patient had a complicated admission and often required high levels of care and attention. Once the patient was outside the 21 day window his wife became a fixture at his bedside each day. When a patient spends this length of time on a unit, it is hard to not begin to consider them a part of the family. We all celebrated each milestone that he achieved and helped to overcome any setback that endured. Olivia worked closely with this patient and got to know him and his wife.
In February, as Valentine's Day approached Olivia was talking with the patient and she realized it was his wedding anniversary the next day. Olivia quickly realized that he would be unable to get anything for his wife, so she immediately jumped into action! That night she collected some flowers, cards, and balloons. When she returned the following day she, with the help of the patient and other staff on the unit that shift had everything set up for 9 am. The patient's wife was always very prompt and they knew she would be there right when visitation hours opened. The joy that Olivia brought was tangible. It spread throughout the unit. While it might have begun as a morale booster for one individual, it quickly spread throughout the unit. One thing that we have realized over the past 2 years is that it is important to celebrate the wins both large and small. This was a win. Something so small truly can have a lasting impact on the care we provide to our patients. It is in these moments that we truly see nursing at its finest.
That day we were all celebrating the patient and his wife. We were unified. My nomination of Olivia is a reminder that often sometimes the small things can go unnoticed, but that they often have the biggest impact. Thank you Olivia for taking the time to remind us of the importance of celebrating all of life's victories.