Erin
Shevock
January 2012
Erin
Shevock
,
RN
Ortho Spine
UCHealth Memorial Hospital
Colorado Springs
,
CO
United States
Erin is a nurse on the Ortho/Spine unit who cared for a young man who was admitted for a cervical fracture. Come to find out, this patient had a tumor on his spine. After multiple surgeries and multiple months as an inpatient, he was finally discharged. Erin played a tremendous role in caring for this patient and his family in the midst of a difficult trial.
As anyone would assume, after several days into his hospitalization, Nick became irritable and demanding with the nursing staff. His mom and dad could not help but to apologize to the staff and promise this was not their son typically. Many nurses struggled to see past this person who Nick had portrayed. However, Erin did. Erin persistently encouraged her colleagues that Nick was in a difficult situation, and we had to help Nick and his family through it.
Nick and Erin developed a bond that was built on trust and honestly. As charge, I can remember Nick telling me when Erin was coming to work because he knew that if she said she would be there, nothing would stop her. He knew that if she told him “I am doing everything I can for you,” that was true. Erin spent many nights sitting at his bedside, not knowing the outcome for Nick, but talking about his hopes, dreams, concerns, fears, and general thoughts. Nick became very tired of hospital food and during one of their conversations, his favorite restaurant was mentioned, Taco Bell. She would bring him in food, and the smile that this small gesture brought to his face was remarkable.
Throughout his stay, there were good days and bad. However, in the midst of the bad days, through their bond, they got through them together. Taking care of Nick has allowed Erin to care for her colleagues in a way that she never would have imagined. She goes the extra mile for nurses when they are in need and is always willing to sit and listen. She now cares for her patients with a new perspective and approaches people in a different manner. She has learned that life is too short to ignore the small gestures.
Sadly, after a long battle with cancer, Nick passed away at the age of 28. She attended his funeral with his family at her side and continues to stay in touch with them and continue her bond with Nick through them.
As anyone would assume, after several days into his hospitalization, Nick became irritable and demanding with the nursing staff. His mom and dad could not help but to apologize to the staff and promise this was not their son typically. Many nurses struggled to see past this person who Nick had portrayed. However, Erin did. Erin persistently encouraged her colleagues that Nick was in a difficult situation, and we had to help Nick and his family through it.
Nick and Erin developed a bond that was built on trust and honestly. As charge, I can remember Nick telling me when Erin was coming to work because he knew that if she said she would be there, nothing would stop her. He knew that if she told him “I am doing everything I can for you,” that was true. Erin spent many nights sitting at his bedside, not knowing the outcome for Nick, but talking about his hopes, dreams, concerns, fears, and general thoughts. Nick became very tired of hospital food and during one of their conversations, his favorite restaurant was mentioned, Taco Bell. She would bring him in food, and the smile that this small gesture brought to his face was remarkable.
Throughout his stay, there were good days and bad. However, in the midst of the bad days, through their bond, they got through them together. Taking care of Nick has allowed Erin to care for her colleagues in a way that she never would have imagined. She goes the extra mile for nurses when they are in need and is always willing to sit and listen. She now cares for her patients with a new perspective and approaches people in a different manner. She has learned that life is too short to ignore the small gestures.
Sadly, after a long battle with cancer, Nick passed away at the age of 28. She attended his funeral with his family at her side and continues to stay in touch with them and continue her bond with Nick through them.