Nurse rewarded for ‘beautiful’ sensitivity and compassion as a student – Nursing Times

A student nurse from East Lothian has been presented with an award after impressing her lecturers with her outstanding compassionate care.

Mhairi McDonald, 24, from Port Seton, was nominated for the Simon Pullin Award for her work in both a small community hospital and a busy accident and emergency department.

I think its such a privilege to work with people in their most vulnerable times

Mhairi McDonald

Granted byEdinburgh Napier University, the award, which comes with 250 in prize money, recognises humanity and compassion in nursing.

It is given each year in honour of senior nurse Simon Pullin, who played an integral role in the universitys Compassionate Care Programme up until his death from cancer in 2011.

While several examples were cited by the university to demonstrate Ms McDonald going above and beyond the expected norm, she explained to Nursing Timesthat one instance stood out for her.

Ms McDonald was present when a senior staff member broke the devastating news to a man that they had been unable to save his wife.

It was an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and unfortunately she passed away, said Ms McDonald.

It was the week before their wedding anniversary, and she had always been at the centre of her family, the matriarch, and her husband came in and said how hed hoped to be with her, because shes never been on her own.

Ms McDonald arranged for the husband to hold his wifes hand as treatment was withdrawn.

He felt like hed been with her in her last moments. Even though, from a medical point of view, she was gone before that, but for him, he felt like he had been with her, said Ms McDonald.

I sat with him for an hour or so until his family arrived, so he wasnt on his own just listening to all his stories about him and his wife, anecdotes about their life together, she said.

Compassion is not just about the patient themselves; [in this case] it takes into account that she had always been a family woman.

Her family were her priority in life and why, because shes passed away, shouldnt we uphold her values? The things she prided herself on shouldn't be disregarded.

The examples of what Mhairi learned from practice were powerful, and touching to read

Stephen Smith

Staff who mentored Ms McDonald recognised certain qualities that made her stand out including her kindness, concern, maturity and professionalism.

But for Ms McDonald, compassion and remembering a patient's values were some of the most important things to remember.

Family is so important to help in rehabilitation, and to help settle a patient, she said. Most patients are more worried about their families than they are about themselves.

When patients come into hospital, they want to get that holistic care we really need to think about what is actually important to them and try and incorporate that into their care.

In another example, Ms McDonald built a trusting relationship with a man whose personal hygiene plummeted during low spells, as a result of his mental illness.

Ms McDonald helped clean him up and renew his sense of independence.

Dr Stephen Smith, a senior lecturer at the university and a nurse consultant in compassionate care with NHS Lothian, said: The examples of what Mhairi learned from practice were powerful, and touching to read, and demonstrated a beautiful sensitivity and commitment to the delivery of compassionate care whatever the context.

On learning that she was nominated for the award, Ms McDonald said she was overwhelmed.

I didnt think I would get it, but it was great to hear such kind words from colleagues that was just lovely in itself, she said.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Nursing degree, Ms McDonald is now working as a staff nurse in the Acute Medical Unit at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

So far, Ms McDonald has hit the ground running: Its great, everyone has been so helpful. Theres a lot to learn because its such a busy place all the staff, the doctors and the nurses, everyone is so supportive.

I think its such a privilege to work with people in their most vulnerable times, its not a nice time for them but its nice to be that support.

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Nurse rewarded for 'beautiful' sensitivity and compassion as a student - Nursing Times