November 2022
Brittany
L. Robertson (Kay)
,
R.N.
Mary Brigh 9 D/E Neurology/Neurosurgery
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester
,
MN
United States
In our darkest hour when Nurse Kay entered the room that it would lift so much off our shoulders.
Recently my mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and with a Neurofibroma in her spine. She had two surgeries two weeks apart starting with the breast surgery. We had several nurses during our time at the Mayo Clinic but there was one nurse that stood out among all the rest. Her name was Brittany Kay. Brittany stood out the moment we entered my mother's room from the ICU. She not only cared for my mom and her comfort but also mine and my father’s. Brittany had no experience with Breast Cancer and what the surgery entailed but because my mother still had a drain tube in she immediately found out all the information she could on how to care for that also. She went above and beyond to make sure all three of us had everything we needed at any given time.
Her compassion for people was evident the first moment I met her. Every patient she was in charge of received her immediate attention and while other nurses were sitting and charting she spent her time floating from room to room to make sure everyone was well taken care of. She even picked up additional hours while we were there and never complained - just made us feel like she wanted to be there with us. Whenever we had questions for the doctor she would message them and ask them to come to explain. When they would arrive she made sure to be in the room to hear what they were saying so that if we had any difficulty understanding she could help explain or if questions came up later and she could answer them. We were never left wondering.
Towards the end of my mother’s stay, Nurse Kay made sure we did not leave without the breast surgeon coming over and checking on my mother's drain tube herself. We lived a few hours from the hospital and she did not want us to go home without making sure everything was as it should be. She messaged and called until she received a response from them that they would come. It ended up that my mom did need her drain flushed and some additional care. We left knowing that my mother was going to be okay and that we had no further questions that needed answering. In our darkest hour when Nurse Kay entered the room that it would lift so much off our shoulders. She encouraged my mom every time and gave her the confidence that she could heal and have a normal life. I don't want to take anything away from all the nurses that cared for my mom during her visits but Nurse Kay was just outstanding in her field and deserves to know that she touched our lives and we are so grateful for her. Nursing is not just a job to her; it is truly a passion that you can tell she loves.
Her compassion for people was evident the first moment I met her. Every patient she was in charge of received her immediate attention and while other nurses were sitting and charting she spent her time floating from room to room to make sure everyone was well taken care of. She even picked up additional hours while we were there and never complained - just made us feel like she wanted to be there with us. Whenever we had questions for the doctor she would message them and ask them to come to explain. When they would arrive she made sure to be in the room to hear what they were saying so that if we had any difficulty understanding she could help explain or if questions came up later and she could answer them. We were never left wondering.
Towards the end of my mother’s stay, Nurse Kay made sure we did not leave without the breast surgeon coming over and checking on my mother's drain tube herself. We lived a few hours from the hospital and she did not want us to go home without making sure everything was as it should be. She messaged and called until she received a response from them that they would come. It ended up that my mom did need her drain flushed and some additional care. We left knowing that my mother was going to be okay and that we had no further questions that needed answering. In our darkest hour when Nurse Kay entered the room that it would lift so much off our shoulders. She encouraged my mom every time and gave her the confidence that she could heal and have a normal life. I don't want to take anything away from all the nurses that cared for my mom during her visits but Nurse Kay was just outstanding in her field and deserves to know that she touched our lives and we are so grateful for her. Nursing is not just a job to her; it is truly a passion that you can tell she loves.