May 2014
Francisa
Frimpong
,
RN, BSN
Medical-Surgical
New York Presbyterian- Weill Cornell Medical Center
New York
,
NY
United States
As nurses, we often find ourselves caught up in situations which make us go out of our way in order to accommodate a patient's wish/wishes. The anxiety, fear and emotional distress coming from a cancer patient led Franny to do what she did for Mr. & Mrs. A.
It was the beginning of Fran's second night shift, Fran received Mr. A in bed with his wife at his bedside. Though struggling with a terminal end-stage cancer, Mr. A and his wife were always inconceivably pleasant. He asked his wife to excuse him and Fran for a minute. He asked Fran to have a seat and explained that his wife will be turning 50 years in 2 days. He told Fran he didn't mean to be a bother but he wanted to know if the hospital provided a little cake for birthdays. He quoted, "I understand that I am dying, I see it coming and I can feel it. I may not return home with my wife and this might be her last birthday that I get to celebrate with her. The passion and strength of emotion in which he made his request was touching. After their conversation Fran felt there was no other choice but to grant his request.
Fran told a couple of nurses about the conversation that took place. They were all moved by the request and decided to join forces with Fran in planning it. On Mrs. A's birthday, Fran not only planned to get a lovely cake, she also prepared a nice complimentary meal for the couple and a few people that might be present.
Fran showed up about 6:30PM the next day, to the patient lounge to find a large table set up and nicely decorated with chairs, table cloth and balloons floating in the air. There was music coming from an iPhone which was connected to a small speaker. Mr. A and his wife were pleasantly surprised, their facial expressions were priceless. Mr. A gave a small speech about how he and his wife were amazed at how Fran went above and beyond in getting the other nurses involved, and even catering for their meals.
To Fran, nursing is not just medical patient care; it is dispensing comfort, compassion and caring even without a prescription. Fran along with her colleagues did what they did because they wanted to honor their patient's wish and show them that they truly care.
It was the beginning of Fran's second night shift, Fran received Mr. A in bed with his wife at his bedside. Though struggling with a terminal end-stage cancer, Mr. A and his wife were always inconceivably pleasant. He asked his wife to excuse him and Fran for a minute. He asked Fran to have a seat and explained that his wife will be turning 50 years in 2 days. He told Fran he didn't mean to be a bother but he wanted to know if the hospital provided a little cake for birthdays. He quoted, "I understand that I am dying, I see it coming and I can feel it. I may not return home with my wife and this might be her last birthday that I get to celebrate with her. The passion and strength of emotion in which he made his request was touching. After their conversation Fran felt there was no other choice but to grant his request.
Fran told a couple of nurses about the conversation that took place. They were all moved by the request and decided to join forces with Fran in planning it. On Mrs. A's birthday, Fran not only planned to get a lovely cake, she also prepared a nice complimentary meal for the couple and a few people that might be present.
Fran showed up about 6:30PM the next day, to the patient lounge to find a large table set up and nicely decorated with chairs, table cloth and balloons floating in the air. There was music coming from an iPhone which was connected to a small speaker. Mr. A and his wife were pleasantly surprised, their facial expressions were priceless. Mr. A gave a small speech about how he and his wife were amazed at how Fran went above and beyond in getting the other nurses involved, and even catering for their meals.
To Fran, nursing is not just medical patient care; it is dispensing comfort, compassion and caring even without a prescription. Fran along with her colleagues did what they did because they wanted to honor their patient's wish and show them that they truly care.