January 2021
Amy
Zhang
,
RN
Medical-Surgical Orthopedics & Neurology
Kaweah Health
Visalia
,
CA
United States
Amy was true to every word, and though I knew just how busy she was with her other patients, she checked on me more than I had expected her to.
I should preface this nomination by admitting that I am a registered nurse who – like this nominee – had the privilege of working at Kaweah Delta Medical Center. I admit this fact because I believe I hold a unique perspective: I was an inpatient in my own place of employment, and I received care from someone who shares in and experiences all of the daunting tasks that are demanded of those who enter into the profession of nursing. A unique perspective indeed, but one that gives me absolute confidence in saying the following: I expected many things once I knew I would become an inpatient at my own hospital. As a registered nurse, I knew what kind of trajectory I was on and what it would encompass to some degree. But there were a great many things I was not totally prepared for and truly could not have anticipated, being on the receiving side of the bedside.
I did not expect to wake up in the morning to a sharp, consuming pain in my lower back that caused me to scream out in agony and make my vision go dark; I did not expect to be taken in an ambulance from my home and have to make the choice of going to the nearest hospital, or my hospital – nearly an hour away – because I knew they would accept my insurance; I did not expect to accidentally punch an ER nurse while he was attempting to place a PIV because the pain in my back was so severe that I couldn't lay still enough and had to be held down by many hands which made me hurt all the worse; I did not expect the effects of the numerous drugs I was given – drugs I myself have given to patients – and how they seemed to not last long enough; I did not expect the results of my MRI or the subsequent consult to neurosurgery; I did not expect that I would be admitted to my hospital, to a floor only a few stair-flights above my own; I did not expect that amidst a global pandemic, I would not be able under any circumstance to see my loved ones before the now-inevitable surgery I would need for my spine. I did not fully expect the pain I faced once the operation was complete and I was returned to Amy; I did not expect the reliance I put in receiving medicine to reduce the pain or my reliance in the people who supplied it; I did not expect that attempting to sit upright, let alone stand and walk, would take more out of me that I thought possible; I did not expect to have need of an over-toilet commode or a front-wheel walker to keep from collapsing in the hall with physical therapy at the age of 25; I definitely did not expect to need help cleaning my mostly-naked self after using the restroom because the movements to do so myself were just too painful. I did not expect to feel so needy, so helpless, and so alone. And what I had least expected – though perhaps I should have fully expected it, given Kaweah Delta's strides to provide compassionate, world-class care – was just how wonderfully kind and brilliantly compassionate my day shift nurse, Amy, was and no doubt, is with all of the patients lucky enough to receive her care.
Amy came on as my dayshift nurse the morning after I was admitted, and I was fortunate to have her as my dayshift nurse for the three days in total I was hospitalized. From what I can remember through my slightly drug-induced fog, she initially greeted me with kindness, clarity of her role, and concern, as I remember waking up in pain when she and the nightshift nurse presented hand off at the bedside. Her first assessment was thorough (each subsequent assessment was just as thorough even though she was familiar with me), and she allowed me the space to explain how I had arrived in my present condition and what all I knew regarding my own plan of care and my concerns. She immediately looked through my MAR, and we came up with a pain medication schedule. She promised me she would be on top of my pain (my biggest concern), and that I should not hesitate to use my call light when I needed help. Amy was true to every word, and though I knew just how busy she was with her other patients, she checked on me more than I had expected her to. With each interaction, she inquired about my pain, if I were hungry or thirsty, if I needed to use the restroom, and if there were any other measures she could take to make me more comfortable. If I did ask for ice for my back or help to the restroom, Amy accomplished the task herself, and while each nursing assistant assigned to me offered the same wonderful care, I was grateful that Amy didn't pass me off even though I was slow to move and in constant pain, even with medication.
Amy was so patient with me; even in my own humility of having to ask for help cleaning up after using the restroom. At this point, I had told her I worked a few floors down from her and that I hated relying on her for that kind of help, but this did not phase her or alter the care she gave me. Her kindness and ability to help me see the ironic humor in my predicament was remarkable. A blessing. Never did her thoroughness waver or her fatigue of working such a demanding profession on a demanding floor show through. She personally helped prepare me for surgery and was there the moment I came back to the floor, advocating that I needed something stronger for my pain. She helped me charge my cell phone so I could listen to music to distract me. When she checked on me, she always assisted me to the restroom, and the day after my surgery, she walked laps with me. She stayed by my side and kept my mind occupied with talk of being a new-graduate nurse – something we have in common – and that she loves Disneyland as much as I do.
We joked that if any of her other patients got unruly, I would threaten them with my front-wheel walker for her (a joke, of course) and that she would wield saline syringes by my side as we “conquered the floor that is Amy.” Upon my discharge, Amy made sure I was pre-medicated for the hour-long car ride home, and even personally walked me down (I refused to take a wheelchair) to my car where my loved ones were waiting for me. It must have taken at least a half hour to make it from Amy to the Acequia Lobby at my hobbling pace, but Amy did not show any sign of concern or frustration for the time I was taking away from her. We continued to talk and joke the whole way. If you, the reader, have not yet made the determination for yourself, I'll make it simple: Amy was a phenomenal nurse, and I was blessed beyond measure to have been in her care during my hospital stay. No amount of words can adequately express what her care meant to me during one of the harder and scarier times of my life. Her practice was professional, diligent, and purely compassionate. Her kindness and humor are just as good as any medicine. She truly exemplifies a model Kaweah Delta registered nurse and employee and is a nurse I will honestly say I look up to. I am happy to ask for Amy consideration for nomination of a Kaweah Delta DAISY Award. She is a more-than-deserving candidate, and I cannot thank her enough for the care she provided to me. Thank you, Amy, and all my best.
I did not expect to wake up in the morning to a sharp, consuming pain in my lower back that caused me to scream out in agony and make my vision go dark; I did not expect to be taken in an ambulance from my home and have to make the choice of going to the nearest hospital, or my hospital – nearly an hour away – because I knew they would accept my insurance; I did not expect to accidentally punch an ER nurse while he was attempting to place a PIV because the pain in my back was so severe that I couldn't lay still enough and had to be held down by many hands which made me hurt all the worse; I did not expect the effects of the numerous drugs I was given – drugs I myself have given to patients – and how they seemed to not last long enough; I did not expect the results of my MRI or the subsequent consult to neurosurgery; I did not expect that I would be admitted to my hospital, to a floor only a few stair-flights above my own; I did not expect that amidst a global pandemic, I would not be able under any circumstance to see my loved ones before the now-inevitable surgery I would need for my spine. I did not fully expect the pain I faced once the operation was complete and I was returned to Amy; I did not expect the reliance I put in receiving medicine to reduce the pain or my reliance in the people who supplied it; I did not expect that attempting to sit upright, let alone stand and walk, would take more out of me that I thought possible; I did not expect to have need of an over-toilet commode or a front-wheel walker to keep from collapsing in the hall with physical therapy at the age of 25; I definitely did not expect to need help cleaning my mostly-naked self after using the restroom because the movements to do so myself were just too painful. I did not expect to feel so needy, so helpless, and so alone. And what I had least expected – though perhaps I should have fully expected it, given Kaweah Delta's strides to provide compassionate, world-class care – was just how wonderfully kind and brilliantly compassionate my day shift nurse, Amy, was and no doubt, is with all of the patients lucky enough to receive her care.
Amy came on as my dayshift nurse the morning after I was admitted, and I was fortunate to have her as my dayshift nurse for the three days in total I was hospitalized. From what I can remember through my slightly drug-induced fog, she initially greeted me with kindness, clarity of her role, and concern, as I remember waking up in pain when she and the nightshift nurse presented hand off at the bedside. Her first assessment was thorough (each subsequent assessment was just as thorough even though she was familiar with me), and she allowed me the space to explain how I had arrived in my present condition and what all I knew regarding my own plan of care and my concerns. She immediately looked through my MAR, and we came up with a pain medication schedule. She promised me she would be on top of my pain (my biggest concern), and that I should not hesitate to use my call light when I needed help. Amy was true to every word, and though I knew just how busy she was with her other patients, she checked on me more than I had expected her to. With each interaction, she inquired about my pain, if I were hungry or thirsty, if I needed to use the restroom, and if there were any other measures she could take to make me more comfortable. If I did ask for ice for my back or help to the restroom, Amy accomplished the task herself, and while each nursing assistant assigned to me offered the same wonderful care, I was grateful that Amy didn't pass me off even though I was slow to move and in constant pain, even with medication.
Amy was so patient with me; even in my own humility of having to ask for help cleaning up after using the restroom. At this point, I had told her I worked a few floors down from her and that I hated relying on her for that kind of help, but this did not phase her or alter the care she gave me. Her kindness and ability to help me see the ironic humor in my predicament was remarkable. A blessing. Never did her thoroughness waver or her fatigue of working such a demanding profession on a demanding floor show through. She personally helped prepare me for surgery and was there the moment I came back to the floor, advocating that I needed something stronger for my pain. She helped me charge my cell phone so I could listen to music to distract me. When she checked on me, she always assisted me to the restroom, and the day after my surgery, she walked laps with me. She stayed by my side and kept my mind occupied with talk of being a new-graduate nurse – something we have in common – and that she loves Disneyland as much as I do.
We joked that if any of her other patients got unruly, I would threaten them with my front-wheel walker for her (a joke, of course) and that she would wield saline syringes by my side as we “conquered the floor that is Amy.” Upon my discharge, Amy made sure I was pre-medicated for the hour-long car ride home, and even personally walked me down (I refused to take a wheelchair) to my car where my loved ones were waiting for me. It must have taken at least a half hour to make it from Amy to the Acequia Lobby at my hobbling pace, but Amy did not show any sign of concern or frustration for the time I was taking away from her. We continued to talk and joke the whole way. If you, the reader, have not yet made the determination for yourself, I'll make it simple: Amy was a phenomenal nurse, and I was blessed beyond measure to have been in her care during my hospital stay. No amount of words can adequately express what her care meant to me during one of the harder and scarier times of my life. Her practice was professional, diligent, and purely compassionate. Her kindness and humor are just as good as any medicine. She truly exemplifies a model Kaweah Delta registered nurse and employee and is a nurse I will honestly say I look up to. I am happy to ask for Amy consideration for nomination of a Kaweah Delta DAISY Award. She is a more-than-deserving candidate, and I cannot thank her enough for the care she provided to me. Thank you, Amy, and all my best.