Pardee UNC Health Care celebrates nurses and the difference they make
During Nurses Week, it’s important to take a moment to recognize and appreciate nurses for their dedication, sacrifice, empathy, and commitment to compassionate patient care.
From the moment a patient walks into a Pardee UNC Health Care facility to the moment they leave, nurses are there, tending to every need, comforting and healing to the best of their abilities, and delivering compassionate care. As the person who spends the most time with a patient, nurses become a trusted resource, through building relationships, and addressing and understanding the needs of their patients. They are instrumental in providing evidence-based, quality care and advocating for the well-being of their patients.
LIFE-SAVING OUTCOMES
The skills that nurses develop through experience in caring for patients consistently influence their ability to impact positive patient outcomes.
Tana Rogers is a registered nurse in the Day Surgery Unit of Pardee Hospital with Pardee UNC Health Care. As Tana was caring for a patient following an outpatient surgery, she recognized this patient was not recovering as typically expected. She followed her nursing instincts and started evaluating the situation. She used her years of nursing knowledge and tried multiple interventions to stabilize the patient. Thanks to her excellent nursing care and insight, the surgeon instantly agreed with Tana’s assessment, and the decision was made to admit the patient and obtain some additional labs and an EKG. Ultimately, the patient underwent a heart catheterization that same night and had three stents placed. The surgeon credited Tana with saving this patient’s life because Tana trusted her instincts.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Nurses pay close attention to a host of details when caring for their patients – not just their immediate need or illness.
Jennifer Nelson, a licensed practical nurse with Pardee UNC Health Care, is a prime example of how a heartfelt act of kindness and compassion can go a long way in a patient’s experience. Nelson was caring for a patient who had brought a terrarium of her own flowers to display in her room — as a gesture of comfort and an attempt to make her time away from home more personal and familiar. When a fire recently broke out at Pardee Hospital, many patients were quickly relocated to other areas of the hospital. Nurses and all staff jumped in to make the transition happen safely and efficiently.
But during the relocation of this particular patient, Jennifer noticed that her patient’s terrarium dropped and broke. Once the fire was contained and it was safe to return to the floor, Jennifer took it upon herself to retrieve the flowers from the broken terrarium in order to recreate a new terrarium for the patient.
“I decided to do this because that patient had been through so much and I knew this was something I could do to make her feel better,” Nelson said.
The patient was naturally overwhelmed with appreciation upon receiving her “new” terrarium.
Pardee is fortunate to have exceptional nursing staff who lead the charge for improving the health and well-being of our community every single day and would like to take this opportunity to recognize two nurses who exemplify what it means to make a difference in the lives of a patient.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Pardee UNC Health Care celebrates nurses and the difference they make
