Cherisse has been an incredible nurse over the last two days. When she started her shift yesterday a doctor had just rounded and given me information that I felt conflicted with what my attending told me. Cherisse immediately assumed the role of being my advocate and staying on top of making sure my doctors were doing what they said they would and got me the answers and clarifications I needed, going so far as to keep an eye on my room for when they came in so she could come and listen in to make sure they were getting me answers to the questions she knew I had. She made sure to follow up on the actions they said they would take and make sure things were done and even came back at the very end of her shift to see if there were any new developments from the doctors and if there is any way she could help. I have no doubt that I got answers to feel secure in my care much more quickly because of her facilitation and involvement.
Today she started the shift by asking if there had been developments overnight and upon hearing that the plan was to put a PICC in today she immediately suggested coming up with a plan to be proactive about making sure the order gets in today for it because if the PICC isn't put in today I would be stuck over the weekend waiting for it to happen on Monday. When my doctors came to talk about the detailed care plan they developed late last night I was on a walk around the ward, she called my cell, which I didn't hear buzzing in my pocket so she went and tracked me down to make sure I didn't miss the doctors and was able to get all the information I needed right then instead of having to wait even longer. I don't know how else to reiterate that she is the gold standard for nurses being advocates for their patients and I deeply appreciate her help. I have had plenty of good nurses throughout the years but I have never had a nurse who made me feel as heard as she has while also making me feel like she's 100% aligned with my care goals and doing everything she can to make those goals a reality.