Susan W. Hunnewell Professional Development Award: Compassion

Abigail Turner received the Susan W. Hunnewell Professional Development Award for compassion.

Before Abby Turner, BSN, RN, even became a nurse, her gift for providing compassionate care was evident to colleagues on Braunwald Tower 15BCD, Colorectal/Oncological Surgery, where she worked as a patient care associate during college.

“As a PCA, Abby went above and beyond, demonstrating her dedication to the unit and her level of empathy with patients,” wrote Taryn Chase, MSN, RN, CNL, CCRN, professional development manager for Braunwald Tower 15BCD and 16CD. “Now, as a nurse, her ability to connect with her patients on a deeply human level fosters trust, alleviates anxiety and promotes healing. Abby has already shown the dedication and heart of a seasoned professional, embodying the core values of nursing with every interaction.”

A colleague shared a perspective on Turner’s response to a code situation in which the patient unfortunately had passed away.

She wrote, “What really struck me was the level of compassion I witnessed. Abby and another nurse insisted on providing post-mortem care to respectfully provide a last act of kindness. This was no doubt very difficult, as they had developed a relationship with this patient.”

During that situation, Turner, who was the primary care nurse, said she will never forget the compassion of her nursing colleagues on the unit.

“The compassion I felt from my senior nurses guided me through the most difficult shift I’ve experienced,” she said. “My fellow resident nurses pulled me from falling into a dark mental state with their camaraderie and kindness. Compassion is truly at the forefront of BWH nursing. Nurses create a standard of care that I have felt since my first day and vow to upkeep as I welcome future nurse residents into the career.”