Carrie McClean
May 2019
Carrie
McClean
,
RN
Emergency Department
Ochsner Medical Center - Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge
,
LA
United States

 

 

 

A patient's family member called to recognize staff for the exceptional care provided to her father; however, she was very specific about Carrie and the impact she had on both her and her father. She could not give enough praises to Carrie and the team.
A little background the woman provided about her father: he was suffering from dementia, was delusional, and consistently fussing at everyone.
Some specifics she gave for Carrie were "She treated my dad with respect. He was delusional and Carrie consistently attempted to reorient him and treat him with respect, she went above and beyond for my father and for me." The woman went on to discuss the impact Carrie had on her as a daughter and fellow caregiver. She stated she was faced with not being able to provide care to her father and was forced to place him in a nursing home. This decision was one she was not ready to make and stated that she stayed at the bedside and discussed other options with her. It was during this conversation that Carrie mentioned hospice as a potential solution. Her father was later admitted to the hospital and during that admission, the woman asked the providers about hospice. Upon discharge from the hospital, her father was transferred to hospice where he later passed. The woman was so thankful she was able to make this decision for her father and be there for his peaceful passing.
The family member is a fellow nurse who practices at another hospital; she does not provide care for adults, so she was definitely out of her element. She was so appreciative for Carrie and could not give enough praises to her for the amount of compassion she delivers to her patients and their families.
She closed the conversation with this phrase: "I hope to one day be as good of a nurse as Carrie."
Carrie has been working in the ED for less than one year and has been recognized by multiple staff as well as patients and families. She truly exemplifies the characteristics of a role model as she leads by example and with her heart. It was during this visit she provided the ultimate patient experience.