Madison
Redlhammer
November 2025
Madison
Redlhammer
College of Central Florida
Ocala
,
FL
United States
Madison’s actions directly influenced a timelier response and exemplified professional courage, placing the client’s safety and the family’s concerns at the forefront.
Madison Redhammer demonstrated exceptional, compassionate care, meaningful connection building, and client advocacy during a recent clinical rotation.
On day one of clinical, Madison cared for a client recovering from surgical repair of a fractured hip following a fall. The client, who was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, was alert and oriented, communicating in single words and short sentences, and even making jokes. On day two, Madison immediately recognized a significant change: the client was barely able to speak, not easily arousable, combative (a stark contrast from the prior day), and exhibited labored breathing with a respiratory rate of 26. The client’s wife, a retired hospice nurse, shared her concern, stating this presentation was not normal for him.
Without prompting, Madison approached one of the client’s nurses, an orientee RN of the client’s primary RN, to report these concerning changes. Her concerns were initially brushed off. Madison then came to me to describe the complete clinical picture, including multiple alarming laboratory changes and a significant drop in both white blood cell and platelet counts. Together, we went to the client’s primary nurse, and Madison clearly communicated the clinical changes and abnormal findings again. When the concerns were dismissed again, Madison identified the charge nurse in the hallway and respectfully and succinctly summarized the situation. The charge RN intervened promptly, leading to timely provider notification, ABGs, and further diagnostic measures to address the client’s deterioration.
Throughout this evolving situation, Madison displayed unwavering compassion. She remained calm and present at the bedside, closely monitored the client, and consistently acknowledged the client’s discomfort and distress with gentleness and dignity. Madison also recognized the emotional strain on the client’s wife and offered reassurance, clear explanations, and warmth, never rushing their interactions, but instead attending to both medical and basic human needs.
Madison built trust by genuinely listening to the client’s nonverbal cues and to the wife’s expertise and worries. She maintained open, respectful communication with the family and the nursing team, using objective data (vital signs, mental status changes, and lab values) and concise clinical language to frame the urgency clearly. This respectful persistence fostered collaborative action once the charge nurse was engaged and helped ensure the team responded appropriately.
Madison exemplified authentic, client-centered advocacy. Despite initial dismissal, Madison persisted at each step, escalating concerns through the proper chain to secure the needed evaluation and interventions. Madison’s actions directly influenced a timelier response and exemplified professional courage, placing the client’s safety and the family’s concerns at the forefront.
The client’s wife repeatedly thanked Madison, describing her as attentive and genuinely listening to her concerns. As the instructor, I witnessed a nursing student who combined clinical judgment with compassion, communication skills, and courage. Madison’s advocacy and dedication undoubtedly made a difference in the client’s care and experience.
On day one of clinical, Madison cared for a client recovering from surgical repair of a fractured hip following a fall. The client, who was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, was alert and oriented, communicating in single words and short sentences, and even making jokes. On day two, Madison immediately recognized a significant change: the client was barely able to speak, not easily arousable, combative (a stark contrast from the prior day), and exhibited labored breathing with a respiratory rate of 26. The client’s wife, a retired hospice nurse, shared her concern, stating this presentation was not normal for him.
Without prompting, Madison approached one of the client’s nurses, an orientee RN of the client’s primary RN, to report these concerning changes. Her concerns were initially brushed off. Madison then came to me to describe the complete clinical picture, including multiple alarming laboratory changes and a significant drop in both white blood cell and platelet counts. Together, we went to the client’s primary nurse, and Madison clearly communicated the clinical changes and abnormal findings again. When the concerns were dismissed again, Madison identified the charge nurse in the hallway and respectfully and succinctly summarized the situation. The charge RN intervened promptly, leading to timely provider notification, ABGs, and further diagnostic measures to address the client’s deterioration.
Throughout this evolving situation, Madison displayed unwavering compassion. She remained calm and present at the bedside, closely monitored the client, and consistently acknowledged the client’s discomfort and distress with gentleness and dignity. Madison also recognized the emotional strain on the client’s wife and offered reassurance, clear explanations, and warmth, never rushing their interactions, but instead attending to both medical and basic human needs.
Madison built trust by genuinely listening to the client’s nonverbal cues and to the wife’s expertise and worries. She maintained open, respectful communication with the family and the nursing team, using objective data (vital signs, mental status changes, and lab values) and concise clinical language to frame the urgency clearly. This respectful persistence fostered collaborative action once the charge nurse was engaged and helped ensure the team responded appropriately.
Madison exemplified authentic, client-centered advocacy. Despite initial dismissal, Madison persisted at each step, escalating concerns through the proper chain to secure the needed evaluation and interventions. Madison’s actions directly influenced a timelier response and exemplified professional courage, placing the client’s safety and the family’s concerns at the forefront.
The client’s wife repeatedly thanked Madison, describing her as attentive and genuinely listening to her concerns. As the instructor, I witnessed a nursing student who combined clinical judgment with compassion, communication skills, and courage. Madison’s advocacy and dedication undoubtedly made a difference in the client’s care and experience.