Summer Ausborne
May 2025
Summer
Ausborne
,
RN
Emergency Department
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Lexington Medical Center
Lexington
,
NC
United States
That hug gave me the strength to help my grandmother pass and support my family.
Summer was an exceptional nurse for my grandmother on the last day of her life. Upon arriving at the emergency department, Summer involved me in her care. She explained the sepsis protocol they were starting, all the tests that they had done, and what the next steps were. Everything she did, she did with such care and appreciation. Although my grandmother was unresponsive, she spoke to her about everything. Summer reminded me to continue talking to her. The moment that made me realize how far beyond the nursing standards she went was when she sat me down with grace and compassion to let me know that my grandmother was showing all the signs of death. As a nurse myself, it was apparent to me that she was not doing well, but you never want to admit that your loved one, especially your grandparent, will not make it. She shared this same sentiment with me as she told me about her own mother. It was helpful to hear this from someone else. The time Summer took to sit down with me was what made my grandmother’s death manageable. During this sit-down, she also went through all of her lab work to explain what everything meant. I am so grateful that she took the time to talk to me and share her experience of 20+ years. Her conversation with me was the reason I called our family to come to my grandmother’s bedside. Without this conversation, no one would have been able to make it before her passing. We were able to be with her as she passed because of Summer. As she transferred us to the CCU/IMC, she hugged me and let me know she would be thinking of me. That hug gave me the strength to help my grandmother pass and support my family. Summer is an exceptional nurse, and I am so grateful for her. Her compassion, advocacy, and dedication are the definition of a DAISY Nurse.