Upon my arrival to SDU, Ermelinda immediately brought a sense of peace over me. She was so attentive and told me things like she also has a family and a little about herself and I completely forgot for the time being why I was here. She asked several times throughout the night what she could do to help. All my anxiety seemed to be put away and I was able to rest which is very difficult for me. When it was time for shift change, I felt immediately as if my family was leaving me and anxiety kicked in. I wondered how a nurse could leave such an impact, well the way she did it was she cared. I realized that she didn't look at me as a patient, but as a father and husband. She knew all my family by first name and I loved the treatment she provided.
The following night, which was my last night here, to my surprise Ermelinda walks back into my room and says, "I'm here to care for you again". These are the people not just in the hospital but also in the world that I say we need more of. She is selfless, attentive, caring, sweet, prompt, assertive, and on and on. I hope that I cross paths with her one day to celebrate her as an RN, but mostly as a human being. Ermelinda, you deserve the world, and thank you for making me feel like I did as well.