Kristen is a remarkable nurse who always demonstrates our MultiCare values, especially kindness and respect.

We recently had a very young patient who inconsistently participated in treatment. For days, this patient declined medically and had given up any desire to improve or let us help her. Her code status changed to reflect this, and it seemed that we had resigned to uphold the patient's autonomy, even if we didn't agree. The team felt limited in their ability to intervene, as it would otherwise compromise the patient's right to make her own decisions.

When Kristen learned of the situation, she stepped into action - she was not going to let this patient continue to worsen without a fight. Rather than dictating to the patient what she wanted her to do, she met the patient where she was with compassion. This patient had a complex social situation, as she was isolated and without hope for her future. The patient could not see past the metaphorical mountains in front of her. Kristen sat with her and listened to her story. Kristen showed her kindness and compassion that this patient probably had not experienced much in her life.

She spoke words of positivity and encouragement to this patient while she gave her a bath. This patient had likely not showered for weeks, given her living situation. She saw the humanity in this patient and demonstrated how valued and important she was by helping her feel clean, thus reducing the patient's anxiety about the complexities of her life that were out of her control. Through these actions, Kristen communicated her need to advocate for the patient and encouraged her to fight.

Following this interaction, the patient verbalized that she would consider changing her code status and allow us to treat her. The great win of the shift was her eventual change in code status, which was later followed by her consent for aggressive treatment. This treatment was life-saving for this patient. As I reflect on that shift, there were many individuals who contributed to the success of this patient, but it is evident how it all started with Kristen's remarkable ability to demonstrate beneficence through compassion, as she assisted the patient in seeing her value despite the uncertainties in her life. Kristen made a difference for this patient, and she without a doubt saved her life.

I hope Kristen sees how valued and appreciated she is by those she works with. The ICU nurse who cared for the patient the following shift shared with me the challenges of caring for this patient and how thankful he was that she changed her mind. I then told him this story, and he smiled, nodded, and said, "Kristen is amazing". In all the places I have worked in over my career, I have yet to meet another nurse quite like Kristen. We are lucky to have her at Allenmore, as she constantly reminds us of what we can accomplish when we truly care about our patients.