If you looked up the definition in Wikipedia of a competent and compassionate nurse who is willing to go beyond the call of duty, you would find Amanda Pruitt's picture. My father has had the good fortune to be assigned to the quality care of Amanda Pruitt. He is elderly with dementia and at times can be agitated. I have worked in healthcare and tend to advocate strongly for my dad and ask a lot of questions. This combination could be a challenge for any mortal nurse, but not Amanda. No matter what I asked or how my father behaved, Amanda remained cheerful and always willing to answer my questions and be proactive to anticipate concerns. Her competence was continuously on display as she managed his care to consider his well being. She recommended that his blood draws be coordinated so that he didn't have to be stuck so many times throughout the day when she saw that he was becoming agitated by the blood tests. She was aware of his tough night and reached out to his physician to discuss when it was best to schedule certain tests and to take certain meds so he could maximize his rest. As a true professional, Amanda always talked up her team saying that my father would be in great hands with the night nurse and also spoke highly of the CNAs she worked with. This gave us a lot of confidence in the whole team. But perhaps the defining moment that exemplified Amanda's commitment to quality, compassionate care was late in the shift when Amanda needed to reinsert my dad's NG tube which he had pulled it out earlier. After several attempts Amanda was not able to reinsert the tube. She kept us informed and told us that she was asking for help. While she was assisting the surgery resident to reinsert the NG, tube my father became very agitated. Although the resident was able to place the tube, my father was in obvious pain and very combative. My mother and I made the decision to remove that tube. Amanda sat with us in the waiting room to comfort us and talk us through what happened. Her caring exuded for every pore. She ended up staying 30 minutes past her shift and offered to walk with us out of the hospital. Although the procedure was very traumatic, we left feeling very good about my father's overall care because of how Amanda handled it. My mother, having cared for my father who has had many health challenges over their 58 year marriage, has experience many, many nurses and has been critical of most of them. Yet with regards to Amanda, she would often remark "I have never met any nurse like Amanda. She is so excellent.
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Amanda is a great nurse but also a great personality. She really lifted my spirit while I was a patient. She is a big asset to the hospital.
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Amanda Pruitt has been very attentive to our needs. She was our first nurse in the early morning we arrived. My husband was transferred in on transport service directly to room. She has very much appreciated during his stay. Even when she is on another hall she checks to see if we are okay or need anything. The day of his surgery and after she has asked about his condition mentally and physically. She is very dedicated to her patients and her work. I could not say in words how she has been a blessing to us during this time of his sickness. She is concerned about his surgery and or treatment.