Jenay Tatum
April 2015
Jenay
Tatum
,
RN
Surgical Intensive Care Unit
Froedtert Hospital
Milwaukee
,
WI
United States

 

 

 

I am a 3rd shift Visitor Rep in the Froedtert Family Hospital Center. The Family Center serves as the hospital's Surgical and Critical Care Waiting Area. At this time, I am pleased and proud to tell about the work of a SICU RN, Jenay Tatum.

Recently a young man named "J" visited the Family Center. His mother was the patient. She was a transfer from another hospital. J is a tall, stout, and young gentleman who carries himself with humility and grace. He obviously deserved the best we have to offer in every conceivable respect. Therefore, I was particularly excited upon calling the unit to inform of his presence, and in learning that Jenay in fact, would be his mother's nurse.

My Aidet is the building block of the Family Center and Jenay has always made it easy to manage up-which I did. When the call came for J to join his mother in the unit, I presented him his information and his printed directions-thus sending him on his way. He remained gracious and kind, yet as he left my desk, anxiety, fear, and uncertainty were evident in every step he took.

When he returned some time later-and I said this initially and I will not back off now-he looked like he had seen God or experienced some type of divine intervention. Anxiety-gone. Fear-gone. Uncertainty-gone. This is what he said, "Man, were you ever right about Jenay! This is not like that other hospital. Jenay is not like that other nurse." There was joy dancing in his eyes. His voice rang with clarity and optimism. He continued, "With Jenay, I was able to have an actual conversation-a dialogue. She looked at me when she talked to me. I was able to ask questions and she answered them directly and thoughtfully."

At this point he moved to pour himself some coffee and the hairs were literally standing up on the back of my neck. I had some reservations about my qualifications as a documenter of what was being said and what was taking place-but this was it. It was everything we know about Jenay, everything we see from her every day, everything we believe that makes this the #1 hospital in the state, and one of the best values in the country. I transformed into a sponge and absorbed every word he said. I offered to make a fresh pot of coffee, which he accepted. During the five minutes it took to brew, J continued "the other hospital put in a PICC line. That didn't work." And he proceeded to absolutely gush about how Jenay was able to explain the ins and outs of that failed procedure and about how she was able to elaborate on how the Froedtert intervention and standard of care would correct that error and make a difference moving forward.

J finished his coffee and prepared to leave. But before doing so, he turned and faced me fully engaged and said, "Thank you. I am walking out of here knowing that this is the right hospital and Jenay is the right nurse". And with that he disappeared into the night. It was a powerful moment. I could have easily been overwhelmed but I was too busy scrawling down notes to make sure I had not missed any of it.

As a low ranking individual in a support staff department, my work intersects with Jenay only at a point that is brief and marginal. The demands and duties of a critical care nurse must be myriad and multidimensional. Yet Jenay has always treated that point with dignity, respect, and professionalism. It could be about the temperament or disposition of a particular family member or visitor. It may be about the contact information (in hour or out) of a patient's family. It may be the passing on of information to another nurse regarding a case other than her own. Her attention to these details and her enthusiasm for even these less critical aspects of her work are inclusive, uplifting, and validating for me and my entire department.

We know these things about Jenay and experience these moments with her because she has made herself accessible and available to every level of the organization. She is an engaged and willing coworker who never works at us, who never works against us-always with us. Jenay is generous and committed. Froedtert is a stronger and more unified organization because Jenay is here.

We hope she will continue to be blessed as she has blessed us. Thank you Jenay.