Danielle Kendall
March 2024
Danielle
Kendall
,
BSN, RN
6-4
Silver Cross Hospital
New Lenox
,
IL
United States
Sometimes, it’s the daily investment in the small things that can improve a person’s outcome, and I credit Danielle for doing just that!
If I could nominate all of my husband’s nurses, I would, but I firmly believe Danielle went above and beyond in caring for not just B as the patient but myself as his wife. After a whirlwind week in the ICU, B was transferred to the 6th floor, where we were lucky enough to have Danielle 4 of our 5 days there. I truly believe her attention to detail, and specifically, her eagerness to rehabilitate B, allowed him to be discharged home instead of transferred to inpatient rehab (as was the “original plan).
While all “little things,” Danielle’s care empowered B to become more self-sufficient. She came in each morning with a plan of attack to get him out of bed and into a chair, using a walker to go to the bathroom instead of being assisted by a sara stedy. She coaxed him to walk the halls when he just wanted to sit. She pushed him to eat when he wasn’t hungry. She paid attention to his changing symptoms, including discussing a gout flare-up with his doctor when his feet were too painful to touch. She found B a bed extender when she noticed his legs weren’t able to fully straighten, she found extra pillows to make him more comfortable over his stay. She pushed and advocated for PT to re-evaluate his progress when she noticed a marked improvement over a couple of days, which ultimately led to our earlier-than-expected discharge.
Most importantly, she treated him with dignity and respect during his most vulnerable times in the bathroom and shower. As his wife, she made me laugh each time I wanted to cry. She helped me ask B's doctors the right questions when I couldn’t think straight. She gave me the extra boost of courage to bring him home even though I was scared. I also would like to note that she wasn’t afraid to ask the doctors questions regarding my husband’s specific diagnosis to better educate herself. I firmly believe nursing and caring for people is her true calling. It’s not always the grandiose moments that are most important. Sometimes, it’s the daily investment in the small things that can improve a person’s outcome, and I credit Danielle for doing just that!
While all “little things,” Danielle’s care empowered B to become more self-sufficient. She came in each morning with a plan of attack to get him out of bed and into a chair, using a walker to go to the bathroom instead of being assisted by a sara stedy. She coaxed him to walk the halls when he just wanted to sit. She pushed him to eat when he wasn’t hungry. She paid attention to his changing symptoms, including discussing a gout flare-up with his doctor when his feet were too painful to touch. She found B a bed extender when she noticed his legs weren’t able to fully straighten, she found extra pillows to make him more comfortable over his stay. She pushed and advocated for PT to re-evaluate his progress when she noticed a marked improvement over a couple of days, which ultimately led to our earlier-than-expected discharge.
Most importantly, she treated him with dignity and respect during his most vulnerable times in the bathroom and shower. As his wife, she made me laugh each time I wanted to cry. She helped me ask B's doctors the right questions when I couldn’t think straight. She gave me the extra boost of courage to bring him home even though I was scared. I also would like to note that she wasn’t afraid to ask the doctors questions regarding my husband’s specific diagnosis to better educate herself. I firmly believe nursing and caring for people is her true calling. It’s not always the grandiose moments that are most important. Sometimes, it’s the daily investment in the small things that can improve a person’s outcome, and I credit Danielle for doing just that!