Nicole Blake
June 2023
Nicole
Blake
,
RN
Medical/Tele
Atrium Health Union
Monroe
,
NC
United States
My father felt that he was in a place where he belonged, and his presence was validated by your consistent actions. You worked cohesively with the IDT and me and together to make great things happen.
In Feb. 2023, I pivoted from RN & AH teammate to a family member whose father was admitted to Union Hospital for neurological changes. I respect the autonomy of direct care clinicians and their ability to care for others authentically without the influence of another association. My father is an 81-year-old retired RN and Marine veteran. He is cognitively intact, almost a fault, because he has a knack for expressing his health status as rational, normalized clinical significance.
Because of those mentioned above, I felt obligated to be present when my father would meet with the IDT, especially the neurologist. On day 2, Nicole was assigned to care for Dad. When I met Nicole, and as she began to provide an update, I knew there was something special about her. There was no cueing needed. Nicole exemplified clinical, not task-oriented, expertise. No BPA can prompt a nurse to care, effectively communicate, and understand the significance of intentional engagement. Nicole was an advocate. I understood this in her report and witnessed her leadership while speaking with the doctors. During rounds, Nicole postured herself to allow my father to promote his independence. Still, gracefully and respectfully, she filled in gaps in my father's response that he deemed as nuances and clinically insignificant. I know my father appreciated this; otherwise, he would have rejected what she was stating.
Nicole's professionalism and advocacy did not waiver upon my arrival. We became a team. Additional family members witnessed the fellowship during a virtual visit from the neurologist, with my father in the middle and me and Nicole to his left and right, respectively. It's that attention to detail that makes quality supersede the quantity of time spent with the patient and family meaningful. Craftily we never felt the weight on Nicole's shoulders. Thank God Nicole was my dad's nurse, all except one day. Knowing that Nicole's presence meant advocacy in my absence was psychologically comforting to my dad and me. Nicole will assess and advocate the needs of my father regardless of if he mentions it or not. I know this is not always possible, but when you are blessed to have someone like Nicole, her consistent assignment is aligned with comprehensive care. When applicable, my father's morning text stated, "Nicole is my nurse and here to keep me honest with the doctors; no need to rush to the hospital," which was a mouthful.
It wasn't until the day of discharge that it was shared that my dad and I were nurses. Nicole, on behalf of my father and me, we are honored to share the nursing profession with you! Thank you for being a voice and owning the pillars of our organization's cultural commitment. My father felt that he was in a place where he belonged, and his presence was validated by your consistent actions. You worked cohesively with the IDT and me and together to make great things happen. The establishment of trust was effortlessly instantaneous. You remained in the driver's seat for clinical excellence. Thank you!
Because of those mentioned above, I felt obligated to be present when my father would meet with the IDT, especially the neurologist. On day 2, Nicole was assigned to care for Dad. When I met Nicole, and as she began to provide an update, I knew there was something special about her. There was no cueing needed. Nicole exemplified clinical, not task-oriented, expertise. No BPA can prompt a nurse to care, effectively communicate, and understand the significance of intentional engagement. Nicole was an advocate. I understood this in her report and witnessed her leadership while speaking with the doctors. During rounds, Nicole postured herself to allow my father to promote his independence. Still, gracefully and respectfully, she filled in gaps in my father's response that he deemed as nuances and clinically insignificant. I know my father appreciated this; otherwise, he would have rejected what she was stating.
Nicole's professionalism and advocacy did not waiver upon my arrival. We became a team. Additional family members witnessed the fellowship during a virtual visit from the neurologist, with my father in the middle and me and Nicole to his left and right, respectively. It's that attention to detail that makes quality supersede the quantity of time spent with the patient and family meaningful. Craftily we never felt the weight on Nicole's shoulders. Thank God Nicole was my dad's nurse, all except one day. Knowing that Nicole's presence meant advocacy in my absence was psychologically comforting to my dad and me. Nicole will assess and advocate the needs of my father regardless of if he mentions it or not. I know this is not always possible, but when you are blessed to have someone like Nicole, her consistent assignment is aligned with comprehensive care. When applicable, my father's morning text stated, "Nicole is my nurse and here to keep me honest with the doctors; no need to rush to the hospital," which was a mouthful.
It wasn't until the day of discharge that it was shared that my dad and I were nurses. Nicole, on behalf of my father and me, we are honored to share the nursing profession with you! Thank you for being a voice and owning the pillars of our organization's cultural commitment. My father felt that he was in a place where he belonged, and his presence was validated by your consistent actions. You worked cohesively with the IDT and me and together to make great things happen. The establishment of trust was effortlessly instantaneous. You remained in the driver's seat for clinical excellence. Thank you!