Stephanie Manges
January 2014
Stephanie
Manges
,
BSN, RN, CMSRN
Pulmonary Medicine
University of Tennessee Medical Center
Knoxville
,
TN
United States

 

 

 

Nomination by Staff

I have worked with Stephanie Manges for more than 13 years. During the time I have worked with her, I have always known her to show compassion and comfort to her patients as well as her co-workers. Stephanie has strong clinical skills, knowledge and leadership qualities.

Recently, I had the opportunity to observe Stephanie's compassion as she comforted her patient who was frustrated and stressed over multiple attempts to gain IV access and lab draws. Stephanie developed a strong therapeutic relationship with the patient and exhibited confidence. The patient trusted Stephanie to a higher degree than the other staff and would only allow her to attempt IV placement and lab draws.

As a result of the strong bond between Stephanie and the patient, the patient confided in her with the story of losing her 8 year old son to brain cancer. The patient was upset and disappointed she could not visit her son's grave as often as she would like because of the current health condition. Stephanie asked the patient where her son was buried and told her she would go visit him someday. The next day Stephanie was not working she visited the boy's grave. Upon returning to work, Stephanie told the patient she had visited the son's grave and had a very peaceful visit with him. The patient was overjoyed and relieved. Stephanie's small gesture of kindness and compassion overjoyed both of them and strengthened their bond.

This one act of kindness changed more than a patient's outlook, it allowed me to see my role as a person and a nurse from a more meaningful and positive prospective.

Nomination from her Patient

Stephanie is an extraordinary nurse. Our first night with her as our nurse, our 3 year old son stayed in the room with us. She showed extra care in making sure he was comfortable. She took extra time and attention caring for my husband during his stay.