Helen Murray, RN

I promise this story is about your nurse, but I want to start by sharing a little insight about myself. I have been medically complex since I was nine years old, so the hospital environment is not unfamiliar to me. I am also a Clinical Nurse Leader at Tufts Medicine – Lowell General Hospital. I chose not to disclose this when I was admitted because I know that sometimes it changes how people feel or act while providing care, and I never want to add that pressure on any nurse.

As part of my job, I do daily leader rounding, and one of the questions I always ask patients is, “Has someone stood out to you while you’ve been here?” I’ve received many different answers over the years, but something I’ve noticed is that patients rarely talk about technical skill. Their responses are almost always about compassion, connection, and how they were made to feel. Tonight, that came full circle for me in the most meaningful way. Helen Murray came into my room promptly around 7:20 p.m. and introduced herself. She carries herself with such confidence and grace that within seconds you can tell she has been doing this for a long time. She explained the plan for the shift, made sure I had everything I needed, and left the room.

A few minutes later, the CCT came in and said, “Your nurse today is Helen! I love working with Helen; she’s great. You’re going to love her.” Right then, I knew she had to be someone truly special for even her peers to speak so highly of her without hesitation. Later that night, Helen came back at exactly the time she said she would. I happened to be in the bathroom, having an emotional breakdown about my situation. Without a second thought, Helen came to me in the bathroom, hugged me, and comforted me through one of my most vulnerable moments. That kind of empathy cannot be taught. You either have it, or you don’t, and Helen has it in abundance.

Once I had calmed down, she sat with me and helped me process what I was going through. We talked through possible scenarios with my condition, and she helped me create a list of questions for my providers. That conversation made such a difference. The next morning, when the doctors arrived, I wasn’t overwhelmed. I felt prepared, empowered, and grounded, because Helen helped me get there. This hospital, this unit, and every patient assigned to Helen are unbelievably lucky to have her. In that moment, everything clicked. I finally felt what so many patients have told me over the years: every nurse has the technical skills needed to save your life, give medications, and perform essential tasks, but Helen showed me heart, intuition, and emotional presence. It is a rare gift. Helen didn’t just provide excellent clinical care; she cared for my heart, my fear, and my humanity.