Bethany Sapen
July 2017
Bethany
Sapen
,
BSN, RN
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Penn State Hershey Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Hershey
,
PA
United States

 

 

 

RM was a lovely young patient who lit up every room she entered. She was always out and about on the unit making friends with other patients, families, and staff. She was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. This type of leukemia is very aggressive in children and requires a long treatment plan with many hospital admissions.
On one of her admissions, RM was placed on isolation and not allowed to leave her room. She remained on isolation for weeks. Additionally, RM's family had psychosocial concerns and as a result, RM was often alone in her room for long hours and days at a time. Although RM was very creative, mature and independent, this long isolation was very difficult. While others would offer her arts, crafts, or board games, Bethany took her time with RM to a whole new level of nursing excellence.
Bethany took the time to educate RM and explain that it was important to stay in her room to protect her weakened immune system. Bethany helped RM make a movie inside the room. Using isolation equipment, scary music and sound effects, and making use of poor lighting, they starred in their own horror movie called "Locked". In the movie, RM played herself being trapped inside her room. Instead of being a nurse, Bethany played a ghost. The movie even had a blooper reel.
Bethany is always pleasant to be around and is always smiling. Her actions on the unit, although routine to her, truly set the tone for the rest of our staff. She takes the initiative to go above and beyond for all of her patients.