October 2010
Deborah
McLean
,
RN
Oncology
Prisma Health Richland Hospital
Columbia
,
SC
United States

 

 

 

Deb McLean is a nurse that well deserves on this Daisy nomination. She tries to ensure that she makes a difference in each of her patient’s lives every day. Deb displays compassion to each of her patients and families. She takes the time to get to know their likes and dislikes, which helps her to zoom in on their most intimate needs. She recently was able to display this toward a patient and family she was caring for. Her patient was inching closer to end of life. The patient was a full code and we would have had to eventually code her or send her to the ICU (neither of which the patient wanted). The family did not want to change her code status and the patient hesitantly agreed while family was present, however her eyes told a different story to Deb. Deb spoke with the patient and found that she really did not want any heroic measures and just wanted to be able to go home and rest. Deb continued to talk with the spouse and son gently about the wishes of the patient. They trusted Deb, her instincts and the information she provided. The family finally decided to allow the patient to become hospice and to take her home. This was what she wanted. Deb help to get the ball rolling that night from home, came in the following day, which was her day off and expedite her discharge. She encountered many bumps in the road but she advocated for the patient as any excellent nurse would. The patient was able to go home, spend time with her children and grandchildren, and sit in her sun room and look out over her garden. The patient died the next week, but she was granted the one thing she really wanted, which was to spend her last days at home surrounded by her family. Deb indeed helped to make this happen for her. This is one of the many instances in which Deb displayed compassion and gave of herself without even a blink. Deb is well deserving of this award because of the countless unselfish acts she displays each and every day.