Reflections on life, family and the value of compassionate nursing
Family ties. Riley Berryman, who passed away in November, 2012 following a long struggle with an intestinal illness, treated his entire family to a vacation in the Bahamas thanks to the Children's Wish Foundation. His sister, McMaster nursing student Sarah Berryman, recently penned a column about Riley for The Hamilton Spectator.
McMaster nursing student Sarah Berryman recently submitted a heartfelt column to The Hamilton Spectator via the newspaper’s “Talk to Us” initiative.
The story, titled “Not Just Another Patient: In Memory of Riley Berryman,” offers some touching reflections on the passing of Berryman’s 14-year-old brother due to an intestinal illness, and the team of nurses who looked after him.
“As a nursing student at McMaster University, I am taught about the nursing process through application with clinical narratives and gradually building our critical assessment and judgement skills in various clinical placements,” wrote Berryman.
“It was not until my own life experience of losing a younger brother that I have developed a deeper appreciation for this process and the importance of application of theory to nursing care for the family and patient.”
