September 2022
Kelsi
Rogers
,
RN
MSU
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
Elmendorf AFB
,
AK
United States

 

 

 

As her days grew shorter, RN Rogers contacted nutritional medicine to request the patient's favorite foods that she had agreed to eat even though she really wasn't hungry.
RN Rogers is a great nurse. She's extremely compassionate and embodies the qualities of a servant leader. Her care is so valuable that it makes an impression on your heart that lasts forever. RN Rogers has cared for many patients but one of the most memorable and honorable things I've witnessed her doing was something that everyone would cherish. She was responsible for caring for a woman who was suffering from end-stage liver failure.

She cultivated a lasting relationship with the patient and her family and strongly advocated for her during her stay. As her days grew shorter, RN Rogers contacted nutritional medicine to request the patient's favorite foods that she had agreed to eat even though she really wasn't hungry. RN Rogers picked up donuts for the patient and brought them to work one morning even though she knew the patient wouldn't eat much if anything, so the patient could enjoy one of her many comforts because the patient stated that she loved donuts. In addition, RN Rogers contacted the Red Cross for the service animal visit because the patient missed her dogs and was unable to visit with them in the hospital. She even went out of her way to get approval from unit leadership to make an exception for the dogs to be allowed on the unit so she could say her last goodbyes.

She provided comfort to the patient and family by taking time out of her busy day to sit and chat with them during her lunch breaks. She empathized with family as they watched their mother and wife slowly decline. She listened to them share stories, cry, and reminisce about the life her patient experienced. She even went as far as to create special memorable keepsakes for the family members. She suggested and assisted with transcribing the patient's handprint on each tumbler. She helped the patient dip her handprint in paint and grasp the cups as the patient was unable to do it alone.

When the patient was able to speak and respond, RN Rogers annotated small quotes and phrases the patient requested for each member of her family on the tumblers as a way to remember her by. Rogers brought in her own supplies and took time to create these lasting moments with the family and the patient.

Finally, the patient communicated that she would love to feel the air on her skin one last time. Rogers requested an order from the provider that allowed the patient to leave the unit so that she could enjoy the sun. RN Rogers was lauded by the family in every way. They expressed so much gratitude towards her for when the patient passed even through their sorrow they requested to speak to Rogers prior to leaving the hospital to express to her how thankful they were to be cared for by her.