Dewanda Shelton
June 2024
Dewanda
Shelton
,
RN
Behavioral Health Unit
Atrium Health Kings Mountain
Kings Mountain
,
NC
United States
She made him feel seen, heard, and respected. She told him that she would sit and talk to him for hours if that was what he needed. Dewanda is a caregiver, a mediator, a negotiator, a comedian, and a true healer.
What is a nurse? Merriam-Webster defines a nurse, as "a person who cares for the sick or infirm." Nurse Dewanda Shelton is the true definition of a nurse. I have never met a more loving, honest, compassionate, loyal, empathetic, and trustworthy person. Each and every shift, Dewanda brings her best. She takes pride in her job and the Oath that she took "to do no harm." Every patient feels seen and heard by her. Something that our behavioral health patients don't always experience in life. I have seen Dewanda kneeling next to her patients, more times than she stands. She is always coming to their level. She has laughed, cried, and prayed with her patients. She makes sure every one of their needs are met. Every patient leaves Dewanda in a far better mood than before.
Dewanda is also the best team player. She makes all of her teammates feel loved, respected, and valued. She truly makes work enjoyable. I could not imagine coming to work and not seeing her smiling face. I have never seen Dewanda lose "her cool." She is levelheaded and calm always. She is our night shift warrior and our fearless leader; all 100lbs of her! She never turns her back on a situation or puts her patients or her teammates in danger. I have seen her de-escalate hundreds of stressful situations without batting an eye. She uses every one of her nursing techniques. She teaches her patients coping skills and how to navigate their feelings in a mature and healthy way. On the rare occasion when greater action is warranted. Dewanda puts her training and leadership into immediate action. She administers the appropriate medication and at times uses restraints with empathy and grace. She has told her patients numerous times that she thinks of them as her family and she only wants the best treatment for them. Stating that their health and safety is her top priority.
I would like to take a moment and give one of the many examples as to what makes Dewanda an exemplary nurse and leader. Recently, she was working as the charge nurse in the BHU. A young male patient became visibly distraught right at bedtime. He left the day room and immediately punched the wall. He was walking down the hallway in a rapid pace and screaming, as well as using explicit language. Dewanda was quick to her feet. The male patient yelled over and over again to be let out of the unit. In a matter of seconds, he punched the glass window of our intake door. He shattered the glass and was able to gain entry into the intake room. Dewanda did not panic, nor did she retreat in fear. She quickly assessed the situation. She called for security for our unit's safety. She then immediately treated his self-inflicted injury. She cleaned and bandaged his wound. She alerted the nursing manager and the doctor on call, following her chain of command. She gave the patient medication to help calm his anxieties and anger, as well as medication to take away his new-onset pain. Not for one second did she yell or lose her temper on this young man. Instead, she knelt beside him, held his hand, and told him to please talk to her before he let his emotions fester. She made him feel seen, heard, and respected. She told him that she would sit and talk to him for hours if that was what he needed. Dewanda is a caregiver, a mediator, a negotiator, a comedian, and a true healer.
To have her as your nurse is one of life's greatest blessings. I believe with my whole heart that Dewanda Shelton is a DAISY Nurse. She is entitled to receive recognition for all of her hard work and dedication to the nursing profession and especially as a behavioral health nurse. She is skilled in her profession and is dedicated to providing the best care for her patients. She is always there to listen, support, and advocate for her patients. She continuously provides safe and effective care. She demonstrates professionalism and a positive attitude, creating a comforting and healing environment for the entire unit. She truly makes a difference on our unit. I have the utmost respect for her, and it would be a tremendous honor to one day be a nurse half as amazing as Dewanda.
Dewanda is also the best team player. She makes all of her teammates feel loved, respected, and valued. She truly makes work enjoyable. I could not imagine coming to work and not seeing her smiling face. I have never seen Dewanda lose "her cool." She is levelheaded and calm always. She is our night shift warrior and our fearless leader; all 100lbs of her! She never turns her back on a situation or puts her patients or her teammates in danger. I have seen her de-escalate hundreds of stressful situations without batting an eye. She uses every one of her nursing techniques. She teaches her patients coping skills and how to navigate their feelings in a mature and healthy way. On the rare occasion when greater action is warranted. Dewanda puts her training and leadership into immediate action. She administers the appropriate medication and at times uses restraints with empathy and grace. She has told her patients numerous times that she thinks of them as her family and she only wants the best treatment for them. Stating that their health and safety is her top priority.
I would like to take a moment and give one of the many examples as to what makes Dewanda an exemplary nurse and leader. Recently, she was working as the charge nurse in the BHU. A young male patient became visibly distraught right at bedtime. He left the day room and immediately punched the wall. He was walking down the hallway in a rapid pace and screaming, as well as using explicit language. Dewanda was quick to her feet. The male patient yelled over and over again to be let out of the unit. In a matter of seconds, he punched the glass window of our intake door. He shattered the glass and was able to gain entry into the intake room. Dewanda did not panic, nor did she retreat in fear. She quickly assessed the situation. She called for security for our unit's safety. She then immediately treated his self-inflicted injury. She cleaned and bandaged his wound. She alerted the nursing manager and the doctor on call, following her chain of command. She gave the patient medication to help calm his anxieties and anger, as well as medication to take away his new-onset pain. Not for one second did she yell or lose her temper on this young man. Instead, she knelt beside him, held his hand, and told him to please talk to her before he let his emotions fester. She made him feel seen, heard, and respected. She told him that she would sit and talk to him for hours if that was what he needed. Dewanda is a caregiver, a mediator, a negotiator, a comedian, and a true healer.
To have her as your nurse is one of life's greatest blessings. I believe with my whole heart that Dewanda Shelton is a DAISY Nurse. She is entitled to receive recognition for all of her hard work and dedication to the nursing profession and especially as a behavioral health nurse. She is skilled in her profession and is dedicated to providing the best care for her patients. She is always there to listen, support, and advocate for her patients. She continuously provides safe and effective care. She demonstrates professionalism and a positive attitude, creating a comforting and healing environment for the entire unit. She truly makes a difference on our unit. I have the utmost respect for her, and it would be a tremendous honor to one day be a nurse half as amazing as Dewanda.