Jona Barrows
January 2017
Jona
Barrows
,
ASN, RN
Emergency Department
Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital
Bloomington
,
IN
United States

 

 

 

Jona had a patient experiencing severe COPD exacerbation. The patient arrived at the Emergency Department alert and oriented but struggling to breathe. This woman was uncooperative and made rude remarks to Jona. During her stay in the ED, the patient's condition continued to worsen but she continued to refuse the aggressive airway management that she desperately needed. Jona counseled the patient and her partner and discussed risks and benefits with her time and time again; all the while the patient refused treatment and continued to be rude to Jona. Despite this, Jona continued to educate the patient but always respected her wishes. Jona's patience was inspiring and reminded me of the nurse every nurse aspires to be. Jona showed true compassion, patience, and some of the best patient advocacy I have ever seen. I am proud to work with nurses like Jona who continue to fight for their patients even when it is sometimes hard to do.