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LPN of the Year A Nurse Who Broke The Mold
Most importantly, no one dies alone. Those cared for hospice nurse Debra Redmond, LPN, never have to worry about that. She listens intently to their stories, soaking in their life lessons, no matter if it is a dying infant , or a Vietnam vet who is coming to the end of a very hard life. To her, these are not terminal patients, but people with stories and histories who should be feted until their final breath. " I think one of the biggest misconceptions of hospice is that it's a very sad depressing place, when in fact it is far from that because of the courage displayed by these patients." said Redmond, a nurse at Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center's (SBHPCC) Hospice inpatient unit at Monmouth Medical Center (MMC), Long Branch, NJ. "There are many uplifting moments that these patients and families share with us. Whether the birth of their grand kids or a son or daughter's wedding, we got truly celebrate theses people's lives." Her positive attitude is certainly one of the characteristics that convinced judges to select Redmond, for this year's LPN of the Year award, the first given to a hospice nurse. But that's not only quality that defines Redmond. She's a confident, articulate LPN who goes the extra mile for her patients. She considers herself a professional nurse and caries herself that way. "I've worked in this business for quite a few years, and in doing so, I think I earned respect from people because I give respect to people," she said. And that's on of the things that makes Redmond so special not only to her patients but also her co-workers, said nominator Barbara Eklund, MSN, CS, CHPN, director of hospice services. "Debra supports the other LPNs and RNs on the unit by identifying their needs and tailoring her approach to each of them," she said. "Debra is a wonderful teacher to new employees and her commitment to the 'basic' of nursing is a wonderful example to new and more seasoned staff." SPECIAL NURSE
Eklund, who has been involved in hospice nursing for more than a decade, said that the emotional toll of hospice nursing isn't for everyone, but this area of care is a natural fit for Redmond. "People don't get why someone would want to working hospice," said Eklund. "You have to be a special person to see the value of this work. Debra's always been a special nurse. She was one of the first nurses to interview for this position when we opened up our first hospice inpatient unit in 2000. She's been instrumental in the development of this unit." Today, the 10-bed unit offers care for patients in end-of-life care, though some stay there briefly before transitioning to the unit's home care program. Eklund also praised Redmond for her negotiating skills in working with physicians to help patients get the medications or equipment they need. She's also applied for and received grant funding for underinsured hospice patients in Monmouth County. But it's her abilities and personality that make Redmond the perfect hospice nurse, Eklund said. "Her ready smile and empathetic nature help soothe physical as well as emotional wounds," she said. "Debra helps to create a healing environment where darkness once fell. [She] makes a difference." SPECIAL PATIENTS
"As mothers and professionals on this unit, you lend your skills to that infant or child," she said, "In that same way, you have empathy toward the mother and father of those children. They sought every possible option for their children and there were no other options. We're here to support them." But it's not just the younger patients who Redmond's remembers. She recalls them all, especially one "ruffian" who recently came to the unit. This Vietnam vet showed a rough exterior but Redmond found him to be very "caring inside." As Redmond and the rest of the staff got to know the man, he touched their lives. When he died, Redmond wrote a poem about him that hangs on the unit's walls today. "Those people make the extraordinary memories that make the job, and make you want to come to work every day," she said. CONTINUING ON Aside from the emotional challenges hospice nursing presents, keeping up with the changing healthcare protocol can also be difficult. That's why Redmond decided to earn credentials from the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses. She passed the exam last fall, becoming the first LPN from SBHPCC to receive this honor. Since graduating from Monmouth County Vocational School's PN program in 1989, Redmond has considered going on for her RN. She even completed semester at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ, but had to halt her schooling to care for a family member. The ADN still remains a goal for Redmond, not because she doesn't enjoy being LPN, but simply because she wants the opportunity to do more i her career. "Being an RN is not going to make me a better nurse," she said, "but I think I'll able to enhance my roll as a nurse." GO TEAM While most consider the LPN of the Year an individual honor, Redmond credits much of what she's accomplished to a dedicated team of professionals who work at SBHPCC. "It's pretty easy to work at a place where everyone has a common goal and we all enjoy working to meet that goal," she said. The close relationship between staff carry over to patient care. "When we have a difficult case, we call on each other," Redmond said. "that happens not only at work, but also at home. If one of us comes up with a great idea, we'll call the unit." Redmond has had much influence on new nurses who join the staff whom she's often asked to orient to the unit. "One of my proudest moments is helping that new staff member transition from another unit," she said. " It's great to see someone in that situation succeed and become part of the team." TIME TO CELEBRATE LIFE Making the patients' final days as joyful as possible is the main goal for the hospice staff at MMC. This includes the family as well," Redmond said. "We encourage the family to make it a life moment even though we know there is an end," she said,"It's amazing thing." And when the patient is reaching his final hours. Redmond is often the nurse holding his hand. "If we see end of life coming and it's impossible for a family to be here at the moment, one of us will stay with the patient." she said. Redmond recalls each patient, especially the infant and the family who touched her life. "When she passed away , the parents thanked us and we thanked them for bringing that child into our lives and entrusting us with her care." she said. "Those are especial moments when you know you helped someone. It's wonderful to work here every single day." Tom Kerr is ADVANCE editor [ top ] [ back to News Index ] |
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No
one wants to be forgotten. We all want to leave some type of legacy,
something that marks how we made a difference in other people's lives.
While
she enjoys working on the unit, Redmond admits that her job is very
emotional. Ask about special patients who touched her life and she'll
bring up the infant who had a 3-week stay on the unit before dying,
or the 13 year-old boy who succumbed to a serious head injury after
staying a few weeks on the hospice unit.
