June 2014
Jeff
Schnall
,
RN
med/surg
Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University
Columbus
,
OH
United States
...Where there are many stories to share that demonstrate how Jeff is deserving of this prestigious honor, one has stayed clear in my memory since the day I was touched by his impact on one of our patients. I often find myself reflecting on the impact that Jeff had on a patient and then in turn seeing the impact the patient had on Jeff. The spirit in both of their faces after talking to each one independently has given me a new perspective of how our personal touch and communication positively impacts the healing process.
...I was familiar with the patient from taking care of him throughout his stay on our unit. The patient had a complicated hospital stay over a 6 week period, and had been transitioning from his home to the hospital since a pancreas transplant in November. As, I would encourage the patient with the help from the multi-disciplinary team throughout my shift for the patient to be up for meals, take medications, and awake throughout the day; he politely declined. It was not until a few days later when Jeff was assigned as his primary nurse that I saw a complete change in the patient's outlook and engaged in his healthcare. I was in charge over the two day course (Imagine two 12 hour shifts and to have a monumental impact on someone else's life) and watched the transition in the making.
Throughout each day, Jeff was able to have the patient take all his medications, up in the chair for every meal, and even up walking in the hallway! The relationship and respect for one another was transparent in their faces and amount of time engaged in active dialogue. It was inspiring to see happiness transcend from both of their faces and develop the everlasting bond. To this day, Jeff does not know that at the conclusion of my shift I went to say goodbye to the patient. It was during this conversation, I immediately recognized that Jeff was the best candidate for this award. He shared with me the personal impact Jeff made on not only his hospital stay but his overall recovery after the transplant. As the patient lay in bed at one of the most vulnerable points in his life, his eyes welled up with tears wearing a state championship sweatshirt from a town close to his heart, and Jeff's, making the situation become palpable. He concluded the conversation, with "I owe him BIG" and gleamed with an optimistic smile.
...I was familiar with the patient from taking care of him throughout his stay on our unit. The patient had a complicated hospital stay over a 6 week period, and had been transitioning from his home to the hospital since a pancreas transplant in November. As, I would encourage the patient with the help from the multi-disciplinary team throughout my shift for the patient to be up for meals, take medications, and awake throughout the day; he politely declined. It was not until a few days later when Jeff was assigned as his primary nurse that I saw a complete change in the patient's outlook and engaged in his healthcare. I was in charge over the two day course (Imagine two 12 hour shifts and to have a monumental impact on someone else's life) and watched the transition in the making.
Throughout each day, Jeff was able to have the patient take all his medications, up in the chair for every meal, and even up walking in the hallway! The relationship and respect for one another was transparent in their faces and amount of time engaged in active dialogue. It was inspiring to see happiness transcend from both of their faces and develop the everlasting bond. To this day, Jeff does not know that at the conclusion of my shift I went to say goodbye to the patient. It was during this conversation, I immediately recognized that Jeff was the best candidate for this award. He shared with me the personal impact Jeff made on not only his hospital stay but his overall recovery after the transplant. As the patient lay in bed at one of the most vulnerable points in his life, his eyes welled up with tears wearing a state championship sweatshirt from a town close to his heart, and Jeff's, making the situation become palpable. He concluded the conversation, with "I owe him BIG" and gleamed with an optimistic smile.