Eileen Sandlin
November 2014
Eileen
Sandlin
,
BSN, RN
5East Cardiac Unit
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston
,
SC
United States

 

 

 

Eileen Sandlin amazes me every day the way she speaks to patients with respect and understanding. No matter what kind of day she is having her compassion for her patients as well as her coworkers is seen and felt. She is a true example of a patient advocate. One of the many patients where her compassion and care was displayed was a 27 year old heart transplant patient.

This patient needed a new heart and was terrified of everything that was happening. Eileen immediately recognized her need for emotional support and spent the needed time explaining the process every step of the way and providing her the emotional support she needed. She also noticed her labs and output were low and was able to think outside the box. Her exceptional clinical and assessment skills helped prevent this patient from having to go the unit. She definitely went above and beyond her call.

Eileen is the most requested preceptor on our unit and has mentored many new RNs. She is a senior member of our outstanding mentor program, starter of our silver starfish reward, and the leader of our hand washing team. She is also known as "Mama Bear" on our floor for her motherly love to all the nurses and will stick up for any one of us.

Our staff and patients definitely benefit from not only her expert clinical skills and knowledge but her caring and compassionate demeanor. She not only effects our patient but our patient's families too. A letter from a recent patient's wife was written to us and it states:

"She [Eileen] is an extraordinary, knowledgeable, loving and caring nurse. (I would venture to say, she is certainly working in her calling.) She made certain, as the patient's wife, I was advised of every planned procedure, and detail of what medications were being administered. She went as far as, asking me to promise not to give him any additional water or foods not on the cardio diet during his stay in the hospital and to keep the same regimen once he was discharged. Of course I agreed and see that it has made a difference in his recovery."

Eileen is an inspiration and mentor to me. She is the most amazing nurse I know.