It takes a special person to be there to help comfort a dying person, and crisis care nurses do this every day. Not only do they provide this crucial care, but they offer comfort and reassurance to friends and family.
Local crisis care nurse Raymond Kruse is a humble man who truly loves what he does and ensures veterans are honored with a U.S. flag when they pass away. We’re proud to honor Kruse as the Nurse of the Week.
“It boils down to caring for a person, making sure that they’re taken care of like you’d want your parents taken care of,” he says.
Kruse has been a crisis care nurse with Suncoast Hospice for two and a half years. Sarah Travis, the Senior Staff Nurse, says Kruse cares not only for the patients but also for the family and everyone else around him in the home.
Crisis care nurse Raymond Kruse ensures veterans are honored with a U.S. flag when they pass away
Crisis Care Nurse Honors A Life After Death
Kruse takes it even further, ensuring veterans’ patients are appropriately honored after they pass.
“Most funeral home transporters have flags, but I ran into one that didn’t have one, so instantly I started carrying them, he says. He always has a flag ready to honor those who fought for our freedom. Travis was touched to find out Kruse did this.
“I wasn’t even aware. I don’t think most team members knew that he did this. So it’s just something he quietly did on his own to honor those veterans at the end of their lives.”
For Kruse, it’s personal. “I’ve got five brothers that were in the service before me. All of them were drafted, but mine came after the draft. Mine was volunteer. It’s in my heart. I just feel that I love the veterans. They’re dear to me.”
And he’s always ready to honor a life after death.
Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life and as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.
