Kristen was tasked with caring for a patient during his last few days alive prior to a planned compassionate withdrawal of care. Although she hadn't known this patient or his family prior to these two shifts with them, she went above and beyond to provide exceptional nursing care, as well as facilitate priceless legacy building with the family.
For example, she learned that this immobile, trach/vented patient had always loved taking showers in the tub, but that he had not been able to do so for years due to the progressive nature of his condition. After hearing this, Kristen went to the ends of the earth during her shift by reaching out to PT, OT, PCU leadership, and PICU leadership to obtain a special shower chair (still in its testing stages) for this patient. Because of her actions in obtaining this chair, the patient was able to safely take one last long, relaxing shower in the bathtub with all his devices.
Kristen also learned that his mother desperately wanted to take him outdoors one last time before his death. Even while tasked with caring for a second patient, Kristen went above and beyond to take this patient and his family outside to sit in the sunshine and enjoy the fresh air together one last time.
Lastly, Kristen partnered with child life to ensure that this patient was able to participate in Make-A-Wish in which he and his family Facetimed his favorite musician and had a dance party to all of their favorite songs. Kristen worked tirelessly to provide compassionate, thoughtful, and personalized care to the patient and his family in his final days. The grace she displayed in those shifts was truly a miracle to witness.