MICU nurse leads with compassion in the face of the unexpected
Crystal Christensen, BSN, RN, CCRN, treats some of the sickest patients in her role as a staff nurse in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) at the university campus. Her days are rarely the same, caring for patients with complex health problems like blood infections, cancer, gastrointestinal issues, and more. But for Christensen, the goal remains the same — provide the best possible care for both patients and their families.
Her commitment to family well-being is always a top priority. For one family, it instantly became their source of calm when a loved one was airlifted to the university campus. Christensen met them with compassion, kindness, and transparency, recognizing immediately how close-knit the family was.
“They would come in regularly and pray for this patient and were always there supporting them” Christensen recalls. “I got to interact with them and learn about who the patient was — it sounded like they were an amazing person.”
Compassionate care every step of the way
Throughout the patient’s stay in the MICU, Christensen prioritized their comfort by playing their favorite music and always communicating what she was doing medically, even when the patient was sedated. Over time, Christensen helped wean the patient off sedation so they could spend precious, clear moments with family. Christensen also visited the patient and did little things to make them more comfortable on days she wasn’t assigned simply because she wanted to, not because it was part of her duties.
As the patient’s condition worsened, Christensen sat down with the patient’s spouse to discuss end-of-life care. She approached the conversation delicately, answered every question asked, and helped them to focus on what the patient would do if they could make the decision themselves.
“I find it helpful for family members to envision what that conversation with their loved one would look like if they weren’t in these circumstances,” says Christensen.
The following day, the patient passed away. The family described the experience as fast and traumatic but noted that Christensen made it easier to handle. She was awarded a DAISY Award for her caring, patient-first approach.
“What stood out to me the most was that she took care of [the patient] as a person,” wrote a family member in their nomination letter. “My family and I felt comforted knowing that someone like Crystal was taking care of our precious loved one. I strive to be as compassionate of a nurse as she is.”
