Jesse Raitano
June 2025
Jesse
Raitano
,
BSN, RN, CCRN
Atrium Health Pineville
Charlotte
,
NC
United States
Her kindness and compassion ensured that this last moment was preserved and protected, allowing the family to create profound and memorable final moments before their loved one passed.
Recently, a 41-year-old patient in our MICU reached the end of his life, leaving behind a grieving family, including two young sons.
Facing the heartbreaking decision to transition to comfort care, the family was met with unwavering support from Jesse and Brandi, HCT. Recognizing the immense emotional weight of the situation, especially for the young boys who were preparing to see their father for the last time, Jesse went above and beyond to ensure this family had a dignified, peaceful, and meaningful final experience.
Her dedication began the night before the visit. Jesse and the HCT, on their own time, went to a store to purchase comforting blankets for the children. They had already thoughtfully prepared a bottle containing the father’s heartbeat, a tangible memento of his presence.
Furthermore, they arranged for a bereavement tray of snacks and drinks to be available for the family upon their arrival the next morning, anticipating their needs before they even expressed them.
Understanding the potential fear and intimidation young children might experience in a hospital setting, Jesse collaborated seamlessly with Palliative Medicine. This collaboration included a Child Life nurse who lived near the family, ensuring the boys received pictures of the hospital path they would take, preparing them for their visit and alleviating anxieties.
When the boys arrived, the HCT thoughtfully guided them into a clean and prepared patient room. Here, she patiently explained the equipment in the ICU, answered their questions, and even allowed them to have their blood pressure taken. This hands-on approach helped the children understand the lines and equipment attached to their father, demystifying the unfamiliar environment.
Jesse also ensured that the patient’s limb restraints were discontinued and removed and that he was clean and comfortable, allowing the children to hold their father’s hand.
The compassionate care continued with the support of Child Life, who facilitated art projects for the boys to do with their father, including creating fingerprint pictures that combined their fingerprints with their dad’s. These personal creations offered a cherished keepsake—a tangible reminder of a special moment shared between a father and his sons.
The entire experience was a selfless gift. Her kindness and compassion ensured that this last moment was preserved and protected, allowing the family to create profound and memorable final moments before their loved one passed.
In a time of profound grief, these staff members not only preserved the patient’s dignity but also advocated for a meaningful connection between the father and his children. This was not a manufactured display; it was a genuine engagement with the patient and family, encompassing the entire family unit across the span of life, death, recovery, and loss.
Facing the heartbreaking decision to transition to comfort care, the family was met with unwavering support from Jesse and Brandi, HCT. Recognizing the immense emotional weight of the situation, especially for the young boys who were preparing to see their father for the last time, Jesse went above and beyond to ensure this family had a dignified, peaceful, and meaningful final experience.
Her dedication began the night before the visit. Jesse and the HCT, on their own time, went to a store to purchase comforting blankets for the children. They had already thoughtfully prepared a bottle containing the father’s heartbeat, a tangible memento of his presence.
Furthermore, they arranged for a bereavement tray of snacks and drinks to be available for the family upon their arrival the next morning, anticipating their needs before they even expressed them.
Understanding the potential fear and intimidation young children might experience in a hospital setting, Jesse collaborated seamlessly with Palliative Medicine. This collaboration included a Child Life nurse who lived near the family, ensuring the boys received pictures of the hospital path they would take, preparing them for their visit and alleviating anxieties.
When the boys arrived, the HCT thoughtfully guided them into a clean and prepared patient room. Here, she patiently explained the equipment in the ICU, answered their questions, and even allowed them to have their blood pressure taken. This hands-on approach helped the children understand the lines and equipment attached to their father, demystifying the unfamiliar environment.
Jesse also ensured that the patient’s limb restraints were discontinued and removed and that he was clean and comfortable, allowing the children to hold their father’s hand.
The compassionate care continued with the support of Child Life, who facilitated art projects for the boys to do with their father, including creating fingerprint pictures that combined their fingerprints with their dad’s. These personal creations offered a cherished keepsake—a tangible reminder of a special moment shared between a father and his sons.
The entire experience was a selfless gift. Her kindness and compassion ensured that this last moment was preserved and protected, allowing the family to create profound and memorable final moments before their loved one passed.
In a time of profound grief, these staff members not only preserved the patient’s dignity but also advocated for a meaningful connection between the father and his children. This was not a manufactured display; it was a genuine engagement with the patient and family, encompassing the entire family unit across the span of life, death, recovery, and loss.