Heather Broughton
December 2023
Heather
Broughton
,
BSN, RN
7A Surgical, Trauma, Transplant, & Neuroscience ICU
Loma Linda University Medical Center
Loma Linda
,
CA
United States
Once Heather has an idea or plan, there is no stopping her. She told everyone, “We are having a wedding.” Heather coordinated the entire event.
Life in the ICU can be tragic and emotionally draining. Our nurses work, day in and day out, providing excellent care – striving to preserve life and ensure good outcomes for our patients. Sometimes, this is not possible… that is when compassion kicks in.
In April of this year a patient in her mid-forties was transferred to Loma Linda University Health for higher level of care. She had a long history of cancer with metastasis. On this occasion, she had perforated her bowel and was in septic shock. She required emergency surgery and the removal of most of her bowel secondary to ischemia. Her prognosis was grim.
Two days after surgery, she had improved enough to speak on her own. The Surgical Care Team spoke in detail to her and her fiancé about her condition and future care. If and/or when she recovered enough, she was to go home on hospice.
At Loma Linda University Health, we pride ourselves on having kind, compassionate, and caring nurses. Nurses who provide physical care as well as spiritual and emotional care – to the whole person.
Nurse Heather exudes compassion for her patients and always goes above and beyond to provide every aspect of their care needed.
Our patient confided in Heather that she "knew she would not survive this illness…her only wish was not to pass on as a single woman.” She had been with her fiancé for years; they had children together but had never married.
Once Heather has an idea or plan, there is no stopping her. She told everyone, “We are having a wedding.” Heather coordinated the entire event. With help from our Social Worker, she assisted the fiancé in obtaining a marriage license and arranged to have it notarized at bedside. Chaplain Services were set up and the wedding was booked. Heather did not stop there… the couple needed rings. She donated her silicone ring to the bride and found a male nurse who donated his silicone ring to the groom. Not done yet… a wedding is not complete without flowers. Heather had me, 7A Secretary, make a paper flower bouquet and act as flower girl. The wedding service was conducted at bedside and witnessed by the patient’s aunt and uncle.
Wishes do come true.
In April of this year a patient in her mid-forties was transferred to Loma Linda University Health for higher level of care. She had a long history of cancer with metastasis. On this occasion, she had perforated her bowel and was in septic shock. She required emergency surgery and the removal of most of her bowel secondary to ischemia. Her prognosis was grim.
Two days after surgery, she had improved enough to speak on her own. The Surgical Care Team spoke in detail to her and her fiancé about her condition and future care. If and/or when she recovered enough, she was to go home on hospice.
At Loma Linda University Health, we pride ourselves on having kind, compassionate, and caring nurses. Nurses who provide physical care as well as spiritual and emotional care – to the whole person.
Nurse Heather exudes compassion for her patients and always goes above and beyond to provide every aspect of their care needed.
Our patient confided in Heather that she "knew she would not survive this illness…her only wish was not to pass on as a single woman.” She had been with her fiancé for years; they had children together but had never married.
Once Heather has an idea or plan, there is no stopping her. She told everyone, “We are having a wedding.” Heather coordinated the entire event. With help from our Social Worker, she assisted the fiancé in obtaining a marriage license and arranged to have it notarized at bedside. Chaplain Services were set up and the wedding was booked. Heather did not stop there… the couple needed rings. She donated her silicone ring to the bride and found a male nurse who donated his silicone ring to the groom. Not done yet… a wedding is not complete without flowers. Heather had me, 7A Secretary, make a paper flower bouquet and act as flower girl. The wedding service was conducted at bedside and witnessed by the patient’s aunt and uncle.
Wishes do come true.