Kateri M
Rizzi
November 2021
Kateri M
Rizzi
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans School of Nursing
New Orleans
,
LA
United States
She sang to him, rubbed his back, and held his hands. She truly practices with a gift! She nurses from her heart!
This student delivered some of the most kind and compassionate care I have ever seen. The patient had cerebral palsy and was totally contracted and nonverbal, only making incomprehensible sounds. There was some cognition, however. Kateri had given him some IVPB medications earlier. She noted his agitation. The patient had a sitter present. Later, the sitter called me over to compliment Kateri. The sitter had tears in her eyes. "No one has ever calmed and cared for him like your student. She sang to him, rubbed his back, and held his hands. She truly practices with a gift! She nurses from her heart!" I totally agree, Kateri showed compassionate care like that to all of her patients. When asked about it, she humbly explained. "Well, he seemed like no one could communicate with him. So I figured out a way that I could ask him a question and he could tap his foot against the bed for a response. Then I played the music device that was at the head of the bed, which he liked. I was happy that maybe I helped calm him a bit." Kateri will make an exceptional nurse and become a very compassionate member of our profession. What an honor to have had her as my student.