March 2013
Stephanie
Shaffer
,
BSN, RN
Oncology
Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital
Charleston
,
SC
United States

 

 

 

A perfect example in which Stephanie displayed EXTRAORDINARY and exemplary care was in the care of an elderly patient undergoing chemotherapy for the first time:

This is an 85 year-old, single (never been married) lady who is very active and independent who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The thought of chemotherapy terrified the patient and Stephanie thought of a way to turn the situation around from one of horror to one of comedy for the patient. She informed her patient of what to expect in side effects, symptoms to watch for and to report any adverse reactions to the nurses. She taught the basics of the chemotherapy to the patient because she understood the fear the patient was experiencing. She thought she could alleviate the "fear of the unknown" by educating her patient on the positive side of chemotherapy but to be aware of it effects.

Stephanie proceeded to tell her patient, "Okay, I'm going to change into my Halloween Costume" donning on the blue gown, goggles and just dancing and singing in front of the patient which made the patient laugh all the more. Stephanie wanted to make the situation fun and turn around the negativity of the nature of chemotherapy. In addition to helping her patient cope with her first round of chemotherapy, Stephanie went above her nursing duties and assisted in communication with the patient's niece who is a realtor. The patient was in the process of selling her home and Stephanie helped with communicating back and forth from the patient to the niece as far as forms needed and which ones needed to be signed. The patient's house ended up selling not too long after. The patient finished her first course of chemotherapy but did have to come back in for another round. When Stephanie heard she was back in for more chemo, she took her show on the road and turned the situation around again to one of laughter for this patient.