Fasika Gebrhana, BSN, BS

I met Fasika when she was my day nurse. From the first introduction, she radiated the kindest smiles I have ever experienced. It felt like an instant connection of trust and safety. Upon doing her initial assessment, she brought me PRN pain medication because Fasika said, "You look uncomfortable," so she was immediately proactive in assessing my pain and treating me with medication before she went any further in her assessment. As the day went on, she continued to assess and reassess my pain and all my symptoms, leading to her advocating on my behalf to get another PRN order to resolve a new symptom. As a nurse myself, it was encouraging to see and experience real nurses like Fasika who still practice not because it's their profession, but because of their passion.

The physical advocacy she showed me came from her heart, carried on her shoulders in everything she did to care for me. She wasn't just my nurse; she was my friend, my voice, my encouragement. She listened as I talked about the progression of my disease and she hugged and held me as I was crying so i didn't feel alone. She cared so much for me genuinely that she began to cry with me. Fasika wasn't just my nurse on this day; I truly believe she was a divine intervention and a source of encouragement and support that I needed in a time of darkness and emptiness, just by simple acts of talking, listening, and the power of touch by holding my hand, giving a hug, and being a shoulder to cry on. That, my friend, is a real nurse. She wasn't just a professional caregiver for me; she was the beacon of light that sparked the life I still have to live. Forever grateful and thankful!