Becky Schartz
February 2018
Rebecca
Shartz
,
BSN, RN
Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
Norfolk
,
VA
United States

 

 

 

Becky goes over and above in her daily work habits and in her care and compassion for all people she comes into contact with. I will give you today's example, but this is just one of so many for her. Becky was caring for a gentleman whose heart was failing despite advanced measures to keep him alive. On morning report, she was told that phone calls were made to his wife, but she was not answering. The patient made his decision clear that he no longer wanted the medicines to keep him alive. Becky called the police in the patient's hometown and asked for them to find the wife so that she could be there at his side. The wife came running in tears but was able to exchange goodbyes with her spouse and be with him as he passed. During this time, multiple physicians rounded and knew the patient's wishes but all wanted to wait for the attending physician before comfort measures were ordered. The attending physician was not readily available, but the patient expressed clearly that he was ready to be comfortable. Becky advocated for this man with the rounding physicians to honor his wishes. With tears in her eyes and loving compassion, she ensured he was comfortable and with his family during his end of life.
Becky would never think this was over and above. It is what she does. She visits patients she had in the ICU when they go to rehab. She wheeled an ICU pulmonary hypertension patient during the PH walk to support and encourage her. She loves being a nurse. She is proud of it and never feels she goes above and beyond, but we all see that she does every day.