March 2025
Carlos
Rubalcava
,
RN
Emergency Department
Mayo Clinic Hospital
Phoenix
,
AZ
United States
His kindness, professionalism, and ability to make me laugh even in pain meant the world to me.
I was incredibly nervous about going to the Emergency Room on a Sunday morning, in severe pain and unsure of what was happening to me. After a brief wait in the lobby, a nurse arrived with a wheelchair and called my name. The moment I was wheeled back into the emergency room, Carlos immediately put me at ease with his warm, fun-loving personality. More importantly, Carlos took charge of my care, keeping me informed about what to expect and following up consistently. I never went more than ten minutes without him checking in, providing care, or updating me on the next steps. At one point, he even apologized for a delay while assisting another patient, though I hadn’t even noticed, as he had been so attentive. Managing my pain was a challenge, but Carlos acted quickly to secure the doctor’s order and administer medication to ease my discomfort. Beyond his efficiency, he showed genuine compassion, chatting with me throughout my stay to keep me calm and comfortable. When the time came for my admission to an inpatient room, I jokingly told Carlos I wanted him to come with me and be my day nurse because that’s how much I appreciated his care. Emergency room nursing is demanding and often stressful, but Carlos never made it feel that way. His kindness, professionalism, and ability to make me laugh even in pain meant the world to me. I am truly grateful for his support during such a difficult time.