Jennifer Zahurak
December 2023
Jennifer
Zahurak
,
RN, BSN
Blake 8/Waltham OSC
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston
,
MA
United States
Jen was our rock on that dreadful Sunday morning. We leaned on her for all of our needs, and she never left us.
Jen took exceptional care of our 25-year young son, J, who suffered sudden cardiac arrest in December 2022. When we met Jen in J’s ICU room, we knew she was very special.
She ensured that my husband and I were able to see our son as quickly as possible…considering we had driven a few hours to reach Boston. She explained thoroughly the situation J was in, and provided us with comfort. She witnessed the immense love we shared for our son, and allowed us the time we needed to spend with him…. without rushing us.
Jen experienced our family at our most vulnerable moments, and she shared in our hope that J would survive. She was off duty for a few days and checked in with the hospital by calling on her days off. When J’s health declined, we were delighted that Jen would be his nurse once again. Eventually, we were given the devastating news that J was not coming back to us. We were shattered.
Jen walked me back to J’s room so I could pray. I honestly could not have walked on my own without her assistance…. as I was in complete shock. Jen was so loving and supportive that day. She stayed long past her shift to make sure we would be ok.
The next day we made the decision to remove J from life support. Jen was his nurse again that morning. We were so relieved that she would be with us when we said our goodbyes. I remember looking up at her while holding J’s hand and she was sobbing. I admired her for allowing herself to show her feelings. We needed that! We needed to know people cared about J and our family at that moment.
I asked Jen if J was going to Heaven, and without hesitation, she said, “Yes.” She was our rock on that dreadful Sunday morning. We leaned on her for all of our needs, and she never left us. J passed peacefully that morning.
We received a card from Jen with a beautiful handwritten message inside. We were so touched that she took time from her busy life to write to us. I called Jen a month after J passed, and we talked for a long while, sharing our thoughts and feelings. Jen is much more than a nurse, she is truly one of the kindest people we’ve ever met. It’s extremely important for families to feel that their loved ones are not just patients, but an important family member.
Jen knew from our interactions with J just how special he was. She suffered trauma along with us and yet remained strong and professional. The entire family would be so grateful if Jen could be awarded the DAISY Award. J’s daily mantra was “Win the day!” We hope Jen wins the day every day!
She ensured that my husband and I were able to see our son as quickly as possible…considering we had driven a few hours to reach Boston. She explained thoroughly the situation J was in, and provided us with comfort. She witnessed the immense love we shared for our son, and allowed us the time we needed to spend with him…. without rushing us.
Jen experienced our family at our most vulnerable moments, and she shared in our hope that J would survive. She was off duty for a few days and checked in with the hospital by calling on her days off. When J’s health declined, we were delighted that Jen would be his nurse once again. Eventually, we were given the devastating news that J was not coming back to us. We were shattered.
Jen walked me back to J’s room so I could pray. I honestly could not have walked on my own without her assistance…. as I was in complete shock. Jen was so loving and supportive that day. She stayed long past her shift to make sure we would be ok.
The next day we made the decision to remove J from life support. Jen was his nurse again that morning. We were so relieved that she would be with us when we said our goodbyes. I remember looking up at her while holding J’s hand and she was sobbing. I admired her for allowing herself to show her feelings. We needed that! We needed to know people cared about J and our family at that moment.
I asked Jen if J was going to Heaven, and without hesitation, she said, “Yes.” She was our rock on that dreadful Sunday morning. We leaned on her for all of our needs, and she never left us. J passed peacefully that morning.
We received a card from Jen with a beautiful handwritten message inside. We were so touched that she took time from her busy life to write to us. I called Jen a month after J passed, and we talked for a long while, sharing our thoughts and feelings. Jen is much more than a nurse, she is truly one of the kindest people we’ve ever met. It’s extremely important for families to feel that their loved ones are not just patients, but an important family member.
Jen knew from our interactions with J just how special he was. She suffered trauma along with us and yet remained strong and professional. The entire family would be so grateful if Jen could be awarded the DAISY Award. J’s daily mantra was “Win the day!” We hope Jen wins the day every day!