Shelbi took care of my 86-year-old aunt a few months ago and shared her compassionate heart in the gentlest way. She had taken the week of her birthday off, but had heard from her colleagues that it was a very busy day. She called the ANM and offered to come in and pick up a shift. As she entered the room with her smile and kind personality, she immediately put my aunt, who was very nervous, needy, and physically declining due to her medical condition, at ease. Shelbi took charge of the room, reassured her (and us) that she was there to support her, keep her comfortable, and would advocate for whatever she needed. My aunt said, "Boy-oh-boy--am I lucky to have a nurse like you"! That's when Shelbi answered, "I was supposed to be on vacation today--for my birthday week, but it looks like I am going to be the lucky one--because I get to take care of YOU today!" My aunt's eyes filled with tears, and she whispered to me, "I am going to be just fine today--because I got her!"
Shelbi neatened up the room, updated her whiteboard, and was the first person to ask if she had a nickname she preferred to be called. She did, and was so happy to have that "comfortable name" put on the board! She sat in the chair next to the bed, held her hand for a moment, and explained the plan for the day. My aunt went from being scared and tense to audibly sighing and relaxing her shoulders. She told Shelbi she was "her angel". As the day progressed and my aunt worsened, Shelbi called an RRT. She reassured us as the family at the bedside, as well as my aunt.
After the RRT was over and my aunt was trying to understand what happened, Shelbi pulled her scrub sleeve up and showed her (2) tattoos of a heart and lungs on her arm. She taught her about her condition with the tattoos and used her fingers to point out the problem areas they were trying to treat. It made such a difference that she could show pictures to an 86-year-old patient to help her understand what her body was doing! And, she didn't have to draw the pictures or talk it out in a complex way because the images were already "right there" on her arm for my aunt to see! What a beautiful moment for me to witness such a unique and heartfelt teachable moment! When we asked Shelbi if she got those tattoos on purpose to teach with them...she replied, "I absolutely did, and I use them all the time!"
Shelbi provided stellar minute-to-minute nursing care and made us feel like we were her only family to care for that day--even though she had a full assignment. She was detail-oriented, on top of every change, and an amazing advocate for her medical conditions. Shelbi was calm, gentle, loving, and so supportive of my aunt's fragile condition as well as our needs as a family. She checked on my aunt each and every day--even though she was never assigned to her again. She would come in, quickly visit, and offer a smile or gentle touch throughout the day. Shelbi is the definition of a nurse being sincerely committed to her job and doing it with grace, dignity, and love. I am grateful for the lasting impact she will have on our memories of the excellent care that was provided to my aunt before she passed away. Thank you to Shelbi for choosing to be a nurse!