Maui Corner: Becky Crawford
Posted on December 30, 2021
Maui Corner
Meet Becky Crawford, RN, one of two staff members working in the Maui Inpatient Unit (IPU).
How long have you worked at Islands Hospice?
Since April 29, 2019.
What do you do at Islands Hospice? Describe your role.
I am one of two staff members (a nurse and hospice aide) who work together to provide patient care to as many as five patients in the inpatient unit. We provide ADLs (activities of daily living), medication, meals and assessments. During the day shift, we have multiple hospice staff come to get supplies and care for our patients. In the mix, we have family members visit. During COVID, we receive numerous phone calls to arrange care in order to keep everyone safe.
Describe a typical workday.
A typical day starts with checking on the patients. We take their temperatures and see who needs breakfast. I discuss the plan for the day with my hospice aide. Next comes breakfast and baths or showers. I check my email, stay on top of Relias and ensure that the admit transfer paperwork is all up to date. I keep the IPU clean, organized and do whatever needs to be done. I always stay flexible and alert for motion sensors going off, doors opening, phones ringing, etc.
Have you held any other positions here?
I used to work the night shift.
What is your favorite part about working at Islands Hospice?
Working as part of a team towards the same goal.
Do you have any special memories/stories from your time working here?
I had a patient who had the same name as my dad and was about the same age as my dad when he passed away. When we met, he told me, "I'll remember your name because that's my sister's name." He never got to say goodbye to his family in person because, due to COVID, they didn't make it in time. I'll always have a special connection and memory to this patient.
Tell me about yourself. Where did you grow up? What is your background?
I grew up in a little town in northern California called Seiad Valley. It had a population of 300 people. I went to high school in a town called Happy Camp. My graduating class had 27 students. I went to a college in Chico, California, but I received my nursing degree from Boise State University. I lived in Idaho for 17 years before moving to Maui in 2019. I am the oldest of four children in my family. I have two brothers and one sister.
Is there anything about your background that inspired you to work at Islands Hospice?
When I was 17 years old, my father was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer and was treated for a year with no positive results. Ultimately, he was diagnosed with stomach cancer and passed away when I was 18 years old. He went through many treatments, but hospice played an important role in his end-of-life care. It was one of the reasons why I became a nurse. My goal was to be a hospice nurse one day.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Currently, I am doing lots of yard work which I don't mind. I like to go to the beach. I like to relax by sitting and watching a nice sunset. I have friends that own a boat, and they take me fishing periodically, which has been fun.
Is there anything else you want to share with your fellow colleagues?
My favorite quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." —Maya Angelou
Since April 29, 2019.
What do you do at Islands Hospice? Describe your role.
I am one of two staff members (a nurse and hospice aide) who work together to provide patient care to as many as five patients in the inpatient unit. We provide ADLs (activities of daily living), medication, meals and assessments. During the day shift, we have multiple hospice staff come to get supplies and care for our patients. In the mix, we have family members visit. During COVID, we receive numerous phone calls to arrange care in order to keep everyone safe.
Describe a typical workday.
A typical day starts with checking on the patients. We take their temperatures and see who needs breakfast. I discuss the plan for the day with my hospice aide. Next comes breakfast and baths or showers. I check my email, stay on top of Relias and ensure that the admit transfer paperwork is all up to date. I keep the IPU clean, organized and do whatever needs to be done. I always stay flexible and alert for motion sensors going off, doors opening, phones ringing, etc.
Have you held any other positions here?
I used to work the night shift.
What is your favorite part about working at Islands Hospice?
Working as part of a team towards the same goal.
Do you have any special memories/stories from your time working here?
I had a patient who had the same name as my dad and was about the same age as my dad when he passed away. When we met, he told me, "I'll remember your name because that's my sister's name." He never got to say goodbye to his family in person because, due to COVID, they didn't make it in time. I'll always have a special connection and memory to this patient.
Tell me about yourself. Where did you grow up? What is your background?
I grew up in a little town in northern California called Seiad Valley. It had a population of 300 people. I went to high school in a town called Happy Camp. My graduating class had 27 students. I went to a college in Chico, California, but I received my nursing degree from Boise State University. I lived in Idaho for 17 years before moving to Maui in 2019. I am the oldest of four children in my family. I have two brothers and one sister.
Is there anything about your background that inspired you to work at Islands Hospice?
When I was 17 years old, my father was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer and was treated for a year with no positive results. Ultimately, he was diagnosed with stomach cancer and passed away when I was 18 years old. He went through many treatments, but hospice played an important role in his end-of-life care. It was one of the reasons why I became a nurse. My goal was to be a hospice nurse one day.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Currently, I am doing lots of yard work which I don't mind. I like to go to the beach. I like to relax by sitting and watching a nice sunset. I have friends that own a boat, and they take me fishing periodically, which has been fun.
Is there anything else you want to share with your fellow colleagues?
My favorite quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." —Maya Angelou