Berenice stays up to date on current practices. She follows our procedures and guidelines. Her documentation of care is also exceptional. She seeks guidance from leadership whenever she is unsure of something. She is great at learning and retaining the information.
We had an opportunity identified on the unit earlier this year regarding an infection from a catheter. This was educated to our staff and after that event and education Berenice followed the recommendations we put in place perfectly and documented the care of the replacement of a catheter in a patient with a long term catheter including our recommendations of always taking a buddy. It was very nice to see such great follow through as an immediate response after education.
Mr. H was a patient of ours earlier this year. He was admitted after a car accident in which he sustained a high spinal injury making him unable to move or even breathe on his own, so he had to rely on a ventilator to keep him breathing. He came to us in October of last year and throughout the 4 months he was with us bonds formed between him and our nurses. In Feb he made the decision to withdraw care. Berenice, who works nights, had cared for him throughout his stay. She came up during the day time in regular clothes to sit in his room with him as a friend when the vent was going to be removed. She stayed with him until he passed away that same day. She was recognized by the physician caring for the patient that day.
This is why the love is coming to our unit. Our nurses genuinely care and we touch our patients' lives in ways that cannot be measured. Berenice didn't do this to be recognized but because she had love in her heart for her patient. There is a compassion and concern involved in wanting someone to not be alone when they pass. She was there to reassure him that people cared about him and that he did matter.
His nurses loved him and there was tangible proof of that in Berenice's choice to be there with him when he needed her. He was only in his late 30's. A reality we have to face daily is that life can be so short. It reminds us all why we became nurses when we see someone step up to really make a difference for someone else when they need it the most.