Ginger El Brichi
September 2017
Ginger
El Brichi
,
MSN, RN
Critical Care Unit
SwedishAmerican Hospital
Rockford
,
IL
United States

 

 

 

In May, I was admitted to the hospital and quickly transferred to the Critical Care Unit. At the most critical point in my care, on life support, Ginger was one of my nurses. Her knowledge of her job helped get me through physically, and my family through emotionally, during one of the scariest times of our lives. She did so in such a way that quickly made her a favorite nurse with my family.
During this time, multiple procedures were performed and many types of equipment and medications were needed. Ginger was the nurse who transported me to or was present for each procedure. I am incredibly thankful to have had a nurse with me who demonstrates the knowledge and attention to detail that Ginger does. She also took the time to explain each procedure, machine, and medication to my family. This information, along with her ability to explain everything in a way that kept things light-hearted, helped my family immensely. When I woke up, multiple family members said, "Have you met Ginger yet? You have to meet Ginger!"
As a nursing mother of a new baby, one of my biggest concerns when I was first admitted to the hospital was that the needs of my baby would be met. While I was sedated, my husband was asked if the staff could pump for me to allow for a chance of continued nursing after my hospital stay. Ginger flagged this in the system so that all of the nurses working with me would be aware that they needed to pump for me.
On her day off, Ginger called the hospital to see how I was doing. She also came to visit me after I woke up, even though she was not my nurse that day. I will always be grateful to Ginger for her extraordinary care of me, but also for the care and compassion that she extended to my family.