Jesse Orton
February 2025
Jesse
Orton
,
RN
Cardiomyopathy Center
Tufts Medical Center
Boston
,
MA
United States
Jesse ensured every single action of hers was meaningful, caring, and comforting for her dying patient.
On behalf of the Pratt 8 nursing staff and myself, I am nominating Jesse Orton, RN, for the prestigious DAISY Award. Jesse is a standout nurse every shift that she works. My unit was in awe of her advocacy, dedicated care, and respect that she demonstrated.
Jesse arrived for her twelve-hour dayshift at 7 am and was assigned to a comfort measures only (CMO) patient. This gentleman had a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and was well known to our unit. Our LVAD patients get readmitted often to Pratt 8, and our staff develop relationships with the patient and their families. This gentleman had been on our unit for much of the summer, suffering from end-stage heart failure and other complications. After much effort and coordination, the patient was unable to return home to northern Vermont for hospice care. He was now CMO on Pratt 8. Unfortunately, his family was unable to travel down to Boston to be with him during his last few hours.
Jesse acknowledged this sad situation and decided to not only deliver the best care possible, but to fill the void and become the family that this patient needed. She started her shift by making sure the patient was clean and comfortable. She hand-washed his hair, trimmed his beard, and applied warm lotion to his hands and arms.
After he was clean, she set up the room to become a calming environment. Jesse made a sign to keep on his bedside table. The patient opened his eyes rarely and momentarily, but the sign read, “K and your family are thinking of you and love you.” K was the patient’s significant other who could not travel to Boston to be with him. Jesse turned on soft, calming music to play in the room. She made sure the lighting was dim, but not too dark. Once the room was set up, Jesse called K. She was able to hold the phone up to the patient’s ear so he could continue to hear his loved ones' voices. Jesse ensured this happened a few times throughout her shift.
Jesse set up her patient to be as comfortable as possible. Once she completed this, it was time to be the family for the patient. Jesse spent the majority of her shift sitting in the patient’s room. She would hold his hand and talk with him, so he didn’t feel alone. She frequently reminded him how much his family loved him. When Jesse had to step out, she would assign another nurse or a tech to sit with the patient, ensuring he was never alone. If there were a time he needed to be alone briefly, Jesse would put hot packs on his hands, to mimic the warmth of a human hand holding him and comforting him. She went above and beyond to ensure this patient never felt alone during the end of his life.
As the dayshift turned into the evening, the patient started to decline. His breathing worsened, his anxiety seemed to increase, and his overall comfort was not the same. Jesse was confident and calm when approaching the providers to advocate for the patient. I am told by other nurses that they were “truly in awe of her advocacy for him all day long. She respectfully but firmly communicated with the team to express her concerns. She made them hear her without once behaving unprofessionally.” The patient received what he needed and was given increased doses of pain and anti-anxiety medications.
Jesse’s shift ended at 7:30 pm. While she was giving handoff, she had staff take turns sitting with the patient, so he was not alone. After Jesse and the other staff finished handoff, they all decided to stay with the patient. His decline was becoming rapid, and it appeared that he did not have much time left.
All the nurses were amazed by Jesse and inspired to surround him and comfort him during his last moments. Jesse and the other nurses stayed until the patient passed away at 8 pm. They held his hand, reminded him how much his family loved him, and ensured his environment was warm and calming.
Jesse went above and beyond for this patient who not only needed immaculate nursing care, but who needed loved ones by his side. Jesse ensured every single action of hers was meaningful, caring, and comforting for her dying patient. She inspired others around her to support him as much as they could. She kept the patient’s integrity at its highest during one of his most vulnerable times. I am sure that the patient and his loved ones are so thankful Jesse was his nurse on his last day on this Earth.
She is an excellent role model and a hard-working nurse. We are so thankful to have her as a part of our Pratt 8 team.
Jesse arrived for her twelve-hour dayshift at 7 am and was assigned to a comfort measures only (CMO) patient. This gentleman had a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and was well known to our unit. Our LVAD patients get readmitted often to Pratt 8, and our staff develop relationships with the patient and their families. This gentleman had been on our unit for much of the summer, suffering from end-stage heart failure and other complications. After much effort and coordination, the patient was unable to return home to northern Vermont for hospice care. He was now CMO on Pratt 8. Unfortunately, his family was unable to travel down to Boston to be with him during his last few hours.
Jesse acknowledged this sad situation and decided to not only deliver the best care possible, but to fill the void and become the family that this patient needed. She started her shift by making sure the patient was clean and comfortable. She hand-washed his hair, trimmed his beard, and applied warm lotion to his hands and arms.
After he was clean, she set up the room to become a calming environment. Jesse made a sign to keep on his bedside table. The patient opened his eyes rarely and momentarily, but the sign read, “K and your family are thinking of you and love you.” K was the patient’s significant other who could not travel to Boston to be with him. Jesse turned on soft, calming music to play in the room. She made sure the lighting was dim, but not too dark. Once the room was set up, Jesse called K. She was able to hold the phone up to the patient’s ear so he could continue to hear his loved ones' voices. Jesse ensured this happened a few times throughout her shift.
Jesse set up her patient to be as comfortable as possible. Once she completed this, it was time to be the family for the patient. Jesse spent the majority of her shift sitting in the patient’s room. She would hold his hand and talk with him, so he didn’t feel alone. She frequently reminded him how much his family loved him. When Jesse had to step out, she would assign another nurse or a tech to sit with the patient, ensuring he was never alone. If there were a time he needed to be alone briefly, Jesse would put hot packs on his hands, to mimic the warmth of a human hand holding him and comforting him. She went above and beyond to ensure this patient never felt alone during the end of his life.
As the dayshift turned into the evening, the patient started to decline. His breathing worsened, his anxiety seemed to increase, and his overall comfort was not the same. Jesse was confident and calm when approaching the providers to advocate for the patient. I am told by other nurses that they were “truly in awe of her advocacy for him all day long. She respectfully but firmly communicated with the team to express her concerns. She made them hear her without once behaving unprofessionally.” The patient received what he needed and was given increased doses of pain and anti-anxiety medications.
Jesse’s shift ended at 7:30 pm. While she was giving handoff, she had staff take turns sitting with the patient, so he was not alone. After Jesse and the other staff finished handoff, they all decided to stay with the patient. His decline was becoming rapid, and it appeared that he did not have much time left.
All the nurses were amazed by Jesse and inspired to surround him and comfort him during his last moments. Jesse and the other nurses stayed until the patient passed away at 8 pm. They held his hand, reminded him how much his family loved him, and ensured his environment was warm and calming.
Jesse went above and beyond for this patient who not only needed immaculate nursing care, but who needed loved ones by his side. Jesse ensured every single action of hers was meaningful, caring, and comforting for her dying patient. She inspired others around her to support him as much as they could. She kept the patient’s integrity at its highest during one of his most vulnerable times. I am sure that the patient and his loved ones are so thankful Jesse was his nurse on his last day on this Earth.
She is an excellent role model and a hard-working nurse. We are so thankful to have her as a part of our Pratt 8 team.