Shaun Battle
March 2024
Shaun
Battle
,
BSN, RN
CCU
HCA Florida Memorial Hospital
Jacksonville
,
FL
United States
While my son ultimately lost his life, Shaun was a comforting presence in every step of the process.
Shaun handled our situation, my family, and his patients with both caring and compassion in a situation that was beyond comprehension. My son, M, a Navy sailor, was the victim of a devastating gunshot wound to the head. My husband and I live on the West Coast, so it took us roughly 24 hours to get there. We were at my son’s side for 5 long, never-ending days. Shaun was our evening nurse and one of the first people we met upon our arrival to both Florida and the hospital.
My husband and I were both in shock and very overwhelmed with the whole situation. My son was on life support and attached to so many machines…the questions, the fears, the worries, and all the emotions were all-encompassing. My husband is also a disabled vet with PTSD and extreme anxiety, so this only elevated the stress levels. Shaun took amazing care of not only my son but also our family and his shipmates in so many ways. He would find little ways to connect and surround us with support. He would always answer questions, and we had so many, and find time to talk with us. He would take his breaks and allow my husband to go with him to talk. He was compassionate and would try to help my husband deal with the pain, fear, and anger by taking the time to listen. He would check up on me and gently ask me when I ate last and if I needed anything to drink as he saw we were terrified to leave my son’s side for even a moment.
When I was physically exhausted after not sleeping for over 48 hours, his words to me were, “It’s OK, Mama. I will be on watch while you sleep.” He understood the constant need for his shipmates to comfort us and check on my son. While my son ultimately lost his life, Shaun was a comforting presence in every step of the process. He helped us understand the steps to being declared brain-dead, the process of donating his organs, and the final steps of saying goodbye to my youngest son, my baby boy.
On the final day, Shaun came in to work 4 hours early so he could be the one to go with my son on his final honor walk, to go where I could not. He never once said he understood our loss but would be a constant source of quiet and soothing comfort. We can never show Shaun enough gratitude or thank him enough for the amazing care he provided my son in the final days of his life or the care and kindness he bestowed on my family and M’s shipmates. He truly went above and beyond to help us through this tragedy that has changed our family. With deepest appreciation.
My husband and I were both in shock and very overwhelmed with the whole situation. My son was on life support and attached to so many machines…the questions, the fears, the worries, and all the emotions were all-encompassing. My husband is also a disabled vet with PTSD and extreme anxiety, so this only elevated the stress levels. Shaun took amazing care of not only my son but also our family and his shipmates in so many ways. He would find little ways to connect and surround us with support. He would always answer questions, and we had so many, and find time to talk with us. He would take his breaks and allow my husband to go with him to talk. He was compassionate and would try to help my husband deal with the pain, fear, and anger by taking the time to listen. He would check up on me and gently ask me when I ate last and if I needed anything to drink as he saw we were terrified to leave my son’s side for even a moment.
When I was physically exhausted after not sleeping for over 48 hours, his words to me were, “It’s OK, Mama. I will be on watch while you sleep.” He understood the constant need for his shipmates to comfort us and check on my son. While my son ultimately lost his life, Shaun was a comforting presence in every step of the process. He helped us understand the steps to being declared brain-dead, the process of donating his organs, and the final steps of saying goodbye to my youngest son, my baby boy.
On the final day, Shaun came in to work 4 hours early so he could be the one to go with my son on his final honor walk, to go where I could not. He never once said he understood our loss but would be a constant source of quiet and soothing comfort. We can never show Shaun enough gratitude or thank him enough for the amazing care he provided my son in the final days of his life or the care and kindness he bestowed on my family and M’s shipmates. He truly went above and beyond to help us through this tragedy that has changed our family. With deepest appreciation.