Amanda Paolucci
February 2020
Amanda
Paolucci
,
RN
CVICU
Flagstaff Medical Center
Flagstaff
,
AZ
United States
Mandy was gentle and kind yet fierce when it came to protecting me, the patient.
There is a difference between a good nurse and a great nurse. A good nurse finishes all required tasks, advances their patient care, makes the patient feel safe and at the end of the day feels fulfillment in their job. A great nurse is one like Mandy. Mandy was my nurse when I returned from an extremely painful surgery. I do not recall all the events, but I remember opening my eyes to find her at my bedside. My family told me how wonderful she truly was. Mandy went above and beyond to ensure I felt no pain. Her concern for me was true empathy, a characteristic of a great nurse. She did not care that anyone would be mad as she advocated for me when I could no longer advocate for myself.
Mandy was gentle and kind yet fierce when it came to protecting me, the patient. When I could not speak for myself, Mandy made the decision without the bat of an eye to keep people out of my room. She wanted to protect my dignity. She took charge and advocated for me. You may be thinking, "Well that is her job," and you are right. But would a "good" nurse be the same? Not only was the first night of my stay great because of Mandy but I had the pleasure of having her as my nurse a second night. This time I was fully awake and saw firsthand her kindness. She wanted me to rest and so by doing things I have never witnessed before. She covered the light of my IV poles with sheets and the light on my bed with a washcloth. When she needed to wake me for assessments she did not barge in and turn on lights. She instead rubbed my shoulder softly until I awoke and spoke to me softly. Each time she left the room she rubbed my leg softly, quick touch to send her empathy. A quick touch that was so much more than she knew, and I felt safe. Mandy is the epidemy of a "Great" nurse.
Mandy was gentle and kind yet fierce when it came to protecting me, the patient. When I could not speak for myself, Mandy made the decision without the bat of an eye to keep people out of my room. She wanted to protect my dignity. She took charge and advocated for me. You may be thinking, "Well that is her job," and you are right. But would a "good" nurse be the same? Not only was the first night of my stay great because of Mandy but I had the pleasure of having her as my nurse a second night. This time I was fully awake and saw firsthand her kindness. She wanted me to rest and so by doing things I have never witnessed before. She covered the light of my IV poles with sheets and the light on my bed with a washcloth. When she needed to wake me for assessments she did not barge in and turn on lights. She instead rubbed my shoulder softly until I awoke and spoke to me softly. Each time she left the room she rubbed my leg softly, quick touch to send her empathy. A quick touch that was so much more than she knew, and I felt safe. Mandy is the epidemy of a "Great" nurse.