My teenage son came to LVH-Cedar Crest for emergency surgery. This was our first encounter with this healthcare system. Although we were pleased with all the care we received from his physicians and nurses, there was one nurse in particular that stood out. I asked my son why he felt this nurse over any other deserved to be recognized. He described David as more than just a nurse and because of his personality, they bonded quickly. My son said David felt more like a friend than a nurse. He loved how David made time for him and treated him like a person, explaining everything, making him feel a part of his care rather than just another patient that he had to complete tasks on. As a parent and a nurse of 27 years, you expect your nurse to display good clinical skills, which David did, instilling a sense of confidence in his nursing ability, but it was his personality that made the true difference. David displayed a sense of pride and love for being a nurse. He had a great sense of humor and compassion that made those long days in the hospital more tolerable. He displayed excellence in his care and genuineness towards his patients.
These attributes are not learned in nursing school, but something that you possess. We would like to recognize David for being "that nurse" who puts patients and their families first, for making us feel more like family and not just a job.