Gabriela Finnorn
August 2016
Gabriela
Finnorn
,
ASN, RN
Neurosurgery
UF Health Shands
Gainesville
,
FL
United States

 

 

 

Unit had a patient who was diagnosed with a thyroid mass that was compressing his trachea. He is from Guatemala and has nosocial support in the US. He speaks Spanish only and has no money or passport to get back to Guatemala where his family is. He has changed his mind several times about having surgery or justpalliative care and during this time has wanted to talk with his family. He did not, however, have the means to do so. Social Work did assist him once, allowing him to speak with his family. At another point he was upset as he had decided to have surgery and wanted to speak to his family. Renata, another nurse and DAISY Honoree, was getting off of work and knew how upset he was about potentially having surgery as the risk of him never being able to speak again was huge. He told her he just wanted his family to hear his voice for possibly the last time. When Renata told this to Gabby, they both decided to get their own money and buy him a calling card so he could talk with his family. That is exactly what they did, and he was so grateful as this was possibly the last time his family may hear his voice. This type of compassion is why Renata and Gabby are DAISY Nurses. Knowing I have nurses on my unit that care so deeply for their patients makes me so proud to be a part of this unit.