While outpatient surgery callbacks were being completed, I was notified of a patient from the previous day who was eager to speak to his nurse from the previous day. Upon further investigation I was made aware of the kind, gracious act Elizabeth made to this patient and his family that were well beyond the call of duty. The patient had many wonderful things to say about Elizabeth, including how compassionate, warm-hearted, and kind she was to both him and his family. The patient raved about how wonderful his entire stay in recovery was with her, but he was especially grateful for all Elizabeth did when it came to discharge.

At discharge, the patient had a special dressing that needed to be taught to the family for at-home management. Elizabeth informed the patient of this and was getting ready to call his wife, but the patient expressed concern about his wife having mobility issues and being unable to make it upstairs into the building. Without hesitation, Elizabeth offered to bring the patient downstairs to his wife to go over the instructions with her and make it feel like it wasn't an inconvenience at all.

On the way down Elizabeth also took the patient to the pharmacy to pick up his prescriptions that he would need at home. At the pharmacy, the patient realized that he had left without his wallet and again Elizabeth stepped in and made the copay to ensure the patient was able to recover in the comfort of his home. The patient was extremely appreciative of her making what was a very embarrassing situation a little less uncomfortable for him. The patient again went on about how appreciative he was of her and all she did for him. The patient requested that Elizabeth call him when she arrived at work. When Elizabeth arrived, she promptly called the patient, and I was lucky enough to be at the nurse's station where I got to witness her grace and kindness continue with this patient.

During their conversation, she asked how the patient was doing and learned that the patient had been to both the emergency room last night and the surgeon's office early that morning due to excessive drainage from the dressing. However, the patient was insisting on coming to the hospital to pay her back for the prescriptions. She kindly thanked the gentleman for offering but reminded him how important his rest is for his recovery and that it didn't seem like with the circumstances he was able to get much if any rest. She asked the patient to please stay home and rest and focus on healing as she was not worried about the money.

Again, I could hear the patient expressing his gratitude and appreciation to her. Elizabeth then wished him well and went about her day. Elizabeth is an exceptional nurse to work with and I'm very grateful that she is on our team. I'm extra thankful that I got to witness her huge, kind, giving heart in action. Though she is always incredible with all her patients, this was above and beyond, and she really demonstrated what it really means to be a nurse and care for our patients.