I have seen Angela go above and beyond for her patients, some who are terminally ill. When Angela contacted me and asked if there was any way I could work with them and help provide transportation to these critically ill patients, I immediately jumped on it. She changed my whole mindset; before it was money over everything. She shared the situations of limited patient funds, and my whole perspective changed. It was life over money then. Day in and day out, Angela has cared for these individuals, not as patients but as family. Every patient that comes in that car is blown away by how Angela would always take their call, no matter what time of day, holiday or not. I have seen personally, when I drop these individuals off who are hurting, who know they are dying, who know they don't have a support program or family. Angela never gives up on them, she schedules appts, follows up with them, she contacts me to see if there is anything out of the ordinary she needs to know about. Angela does not sleep and is always worried about them. They are not her patients, they are her family. The way the patients talk about and praise her brings a whole new level to the nurse world.
It made me start a program to provide services to our elderly, sick or veterans, free of charge, because just her commitment to making sure these individuals, even if it is the last voice they hear or the last person they see, she makes them feel loved. We have had numerous patients pass away and I see how it hurts her. She is attached to and loves them like a nurse should. She sees them more like a family, not a job. I have seen her be at appointments sitting out with a wheelchair to provide services for them, the extra mile for them.
Once we get that individual in our car, we might be the last person they speak to, when they feel weak we make them strong, whenever they need help, we help them. We don't have to go above and beyond, but I learned that from Angela. I am thankful for Angela for opening my eyes. It is not just about money, it is life over money. I know those patients were taken care of because Angela was there.
If I was terminally ill, I would want Angela to be my nurse until the day I die, until the last breath I take. If I get sick in Heaven I want to make sure Angela is in Heaven with us because I know how genuine a person she is.