Today I had a knee replacement surgery at Barnes West County Hospital. As I was waking up in the PACU I was greeted warmly by Libby Whyte, my assigned nurse for the immediate recovery period. I am a nurse myself so I tend to judge other nurses a bit. What I witnessed from Libby and her kind and compassionate care made ALL the difference to me. She was so patient as I struggled to wake up and get feeling back in my legs. She never rushed me and took the time to explain every little detail related to what was going on and what I would expect going home later in the day.

What makes a great nurse - one who stands out? Patience, kindness, compassion, and encouragement are key, combined with knowledge and confidence to deliver the best care. Libby embodies all of these traits and more. We could laugh a little and her smile lit up the room. She included my coach in every aspect of my care so he would feel confident as we left the hospital.

I could continue on and on. To summarize - I have had quite a few experiences as a patient and rate Libby Whyte #1 in my book.