June 2013
ENS Carolynn
Ramsey
,
RN, BSN
Cardiology
Naval Medical Center San Diego
San Diego
,
CA
United States

 

 

 

ENS Ramsey was assigned to a normal post-operative surgical patient on 4 West, who was very pleasant and appreciative of the care she has been receiving. On Post-Op Day #5, the patient's husband requested that the Charge RN and the RN taking care of the patient be present in the room for unfortunate news: that the patient's mother had died at home.

The patient's husband had notified the Charge RN that the patient's mother was planning on coming down to visit the patient and her family upon discharge and celebrate the upcoming holiday, Mother's Day, with the family; but that night, she was found unresponsive at home by her children. This unfortunate news was broken to the patient by her husband, and present at the bedside was the Charge RN, ENS Ramsey, the Chaplin, and two physicians from the General Surgery team.

It was ENS Ramsey who sat by the patient's side while she comforted, consoled, and even shed tears with the patient. The amount of pure care and compassion displayed by ENS Ramsey was immeasurable and indescribable. It was that moment and that strengthened the Nurse-Patient relationship, and the continuity of care that ENS Ramsey provided to this patient that assisted in the patient's recovery from surgery, as well as her recovery from such an emotional and unfortunate loss.

Ultimately, ENS Ramsey's compassion made a lasting impression on this patient's life and patient's family's life just by lending an open ear, open arms, and an open heart.