Eni Ungureanu
February 2016
Eniko
Ungureanu
,
RN
Surgical Intensive Care Unit
Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University
Columbus
,
OH
United States

 

 

 

I would like to recognize Eni Ungureanu for her impeccable nursing and medical skills. My daughter has been in the SICU for over 130 days after suffering from 3rd and 4th degree burns over 80% of her body. She is a 32-year-old, very complicated patient still fighting for her life. Eni has been assigned to her on a number of days and has displayed extraordinary nursing and medical skills while caring for her.
One of the most heartwarming displays of Eni's high standard of nursing care came when my 11-year-old granddaughter was adamant about seeing her mother who, at that time, had been hospitalized for over 4 months. After much discussion with the psychologist, it was agreed that she could come in to see her mother. Eni was on duty and displayed compassion as if it were her own family. She dressed the child in scrubs while explaining, at a child's level, why we cover ourselves when entering her mother's room. She then brought her through the back door of the SICU to protect her from seeing other SICU patients. As the patient's daughter entered the room, she began to cry as she didn't recognize her mother with all of the machines and dressings. Eni knew exactly what to do and say even when the patient's grandfather and I did not. Eni answered all of her questions removing fear and truly left footprints of love and compassion on this little girl's heart.
Eni is a true asset to OSU hospital, she is an outstanding nurse possessing exceptional skills and always does the right thing for the patient and the family. Eni has worked in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit for over 14 years and possesses the knowledge, critical skills and empathy to care for our critically ill patient population including patients who are severely burned. Burn patients often have long stays in our unit and require intensive nursing care and both the patient and their families need emotional support during this time in their lives. Eni has the knowledge base and skills to care for our varied patient population.
Recently our nurse manager received a letter from the mother of a burn patient who has been in our unit for an extended period of time. The patient has been in critical condition during this time, requiring multiple interventions to sustain life. The family had been under a great deal of stress, and Eni was able to use her skills to build a rapport with them so they feel very comfortable when Eni is the nurse caring for their loved one.
Eni is an experienced critical care nurse and uses her clinical skills and knowledge to be proactive when caring for her patients. This skill has been very apparent while caring for the same patient. For example, during one episode when the patient developed a high fever and became hypotensive, Eni did not hesitate to jump in and assist the RN who was taking care of the patient that day. She helped by contacting the appropriate physicians and medical treatment was promptly provided in order to prevent a further deterioration in the patient's condition. In fact, Eni stayed past the end of her shift in order to reassure the patient's family that everything was being done to stabilize their family member and they were very appreciative of Eni for doing this. Eni is also able to use her critical thinking skills to evaluate changes in patient's conditions. An example occurred when Eni was caring for the same patient. There was a sudden and drastic change in the patient's vital signs following the administration of a new medication. Eni recognized this change could be attributed to the new medication, so she followed through and notified the physician who came to the same conclusion and discontinued the medication in question.
Other families have also taken the time to write letters to our manager to express how impressed they were with the care and compassion Eni shows her patients. A family member wrote "Eni is an outstanding nurse possessing exceptional medical skills and always does the right thing for the patient and the family". Eni exemplifies the values of caring and compassion in the nursing profession and is a valuable asset to our unit and to the medical center.