Janet Kerlin
September 2022
Janet
Kerlin
,
BSN, RN
Cardiac Stroke
Parker Adventist Hospital
Parker
,
CO
United States

 

 

 

In those final months to see a nurse treat my grandmother as the beautiful human our family knew and loved is indescribable.
Janet exemplifies what it means to be an Extraordinary Nurse. She carries the burden of leadership as a charge nurse with warmth, and patience. While she works as a leader, she also deeply cares for her patients. In the multiple hospitalizations that my grandmother had in the final months of her life, no nurse took the exceptional care of my grandmother quite like Janet did. She was cautious to give my grandmother her medications one at time, and not to rush her.

My grandmother loves to talk, and while I know Janet had tasks awaiting her attention, she never hurried my grandmother. Janet ensured that my grandmother was up every morning, in a clean gown, with clean sheets, and combed/braided hair. My grandmother always valued looking her best (especially for her handsome doctors), and it meant so much to her to have a kind nurse make sure she looked ready to see her doctors for the day.

Janet respected what was meaningful to my grandmother, no matter how small it was. She went through the menu with her and ensured to order the foods that she liked, and that followed her vegan diet, no other nurse did this. Every other nurse had put my grandmother on an "auto tray" and she would often receive a plate of green beans for dinner. But not Janet, she ordered my grandmother a gourmet vegan pizza with ALL the veggie toppings. This pleased my grandmother so much, she laughed with joy!

In those final months to see a nurse treat my grandmother as the beautiful human our family knew and loved is indescribable. Janet called and coordinated multiple palliative care meetings with grace, she fielded all the difficult/repetitive family calls with compassion. She handled frustrated family members with ease and gentleness. She prayed with my grandmother, she let Oma sing her hymns. Janet treated my Oma with dignity, respect, with love. Janet, from the bottom of my heart, Thank you. You made a difference in Oma's life, and mine.