McMahon-Bowen Honored with Essence of Nursing Award

Eileen McMahon-Bowen greets Neuro ICU patient Vaishali Goyal.

For Eileen McMahon-Bowen, BSN, RN, CNRN, of BWH's Neuroscience ICU, a big part of caring for her patients is protecting them.

"There's a loss of control when you're a patient, especially a patient with neurological conditions," said McMahon-Bowen. "Inside, they may be awake, aware, thinking and seeing things; some may have aphasia and are unable to speak, or they can't understand what someone is saying to them. We are their guardians. They are in a vulnerable position, and it's nice to be able to say to them, ‘I know you can hear me, and these are the steps we're taking.'"

For her caring practices and expertise, McMahon-Bowen was chosen as this year's Essence of Nursing Award recipient.

"I truly believe that when Jean Watson (founder of the Watson Caring Science Institute) said, ‘Caring is the essence of nursing,' that her inspiration must have come from observing Eileen's passion and dedication to her patients, families and the profession of nursing," wrote Nurse Director Shaun Golden, MSN, RN, in a letter of support. 

Caring for one critically ill patient with a "catastrophic injury rendering him incapacitated," McMahon-Bowen made his family's "difficult journey more bearable, giving them insight, understanding, support and a sense of optimism and hope," wrote nominator and nurse educator Vince Vacca, MSN, RN, CCRN, SCRN.

McMahon-Bowen begins each day by "praying for patience," intentionally preparing to be present with her patients. She always arrives on the unit early to learn about her patients and be prepared for anything. Caring for one memorable patient, a young male who sustained a massive brain injury following a car accident, McMahon-Bowen recalls putting herself in the shoes of the patient's mother.

"As his nurse and a mother to a son close to his age, I made certain that I gave two very important women in his life - his mother and girlfriend - as much honest information and emotional support as I possibly could," she said. She adjusted medical devices so that his mother and girlfriend could have access to his face and body. McMahon-Bowen had the insight and experience to know that touch can be healing. The patient eventually responded to care.

"For every patient I have the privilege to care for, a simple smile from them means more to me than almost anything I can imagine," McMahon-Bowen said. "I feel a sense of connection and even validation that somehow, someway, I gave this person . . . something deeply personal that I can't measure, document or define. These are the moments . . . when I know that I made the right decision many years ago to become a registered nurse."

McMahon-Bowen says that her personal experiences and those of her loved ones - including her sister, who had a stroke, and her brother, who died from a brain disorder - have helped inform her interests and shape who she is as a person and care provider.

"When my sister had a stroke, she experienced aphasia, which was initially frightening for her," she said. "She couldn't speak. When this happens to my patients, I can see the terror in their eyes sometimes. I let patients know I understand - that it's okay. We let them know we're here for them."

The patients McMahon-Bowen cares for in the Neuro ICU are some of the most complex patients at BWH. Most have experienced strokes and other crippling brain injuries. Many aren't particularly cognizant of what is going on, she says. 

She appreciates the specialty because it allows her to learn new things every day. She has achieved national specialty certification in neuroscience nursing and has been a member of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses since 2001. She is a co-chair of the Neuro ICU's Remembrance Committee, co-author of a manuscript published in a peer-reviewed national nursing journal and has made presentations locally and nationally. 

Mentoring is also important to McMahon-Bowen. She loves working with student nurses and helping them pave a path to make their journeys easier.

Golden and Vacca say they have relied on her over the years "to share her expertise, her strong dedication to nursing and her unwavering commitment to patients, families and nurses new to critical care and to the Neuro ICU."

Added Anne Bane, MS, RN, nurse director of Clinical Systems Innovations, in a letter of support: "She is well-respected by her colleagues, and she is a voice that others listen to."

Reflective of a true mentor, McMahon-Bowen believes that everyone has a back story worth listening to. "We need to watch out for each other and be kind to one another," she said.

About Eileen McMahon-Bowen, BSN, RN, CNRN

Education: BSN from Salem State College

Nursing Experience at BWH: Medical/Surgical Unit, Cardiac Stepdown Unit, Medical ICU, Medical Stepdown Unit, Neuroscience ICU

Family: Husband, Chris, and four children, Tim, Patrick, Jillian and Marcus. She and her husband celebrated their 31st anniversary earlier this spring.

Reflections on nursing: "Nursing is an art and a science; not everybody can do this work. You have to have empathy, knowledge and a certain amount of strength, and you have to stick up for your patients."