Jacob M Kotar
May 2026
Jacob M
Kotar
,
RN, BSN
Multi-Service Unit
Bassett Army Community Hospital
Fort Wainwright
,
AK
United States
Jacob listened, no questions, just quiet support, and strength.
Nurse Jacob saved my life.
Upon entering my room at the start of his shift, he noticed I was not responding to his repeated attempts to awaken, and I was moaning and crying loudly. When I did open my eyes, he was right there, and I said I needed help. My chest hurt, my heart was beating very fast, and I was not well.
Nurse Jacob called in the cavalry, ER docs, and trauma response team came and began to assess. Jacob did not leave; he stayed. He was calm, cool, yet concerned. When the trauma team couldn't get an IV started, he ran and got the ultrasound vein machine, found a vein, and started an IV on the first try.
When I had to get an artery IV stick in my right wrist, he held my hand and told me to squeeze because he knew it would hurt. I squeezed the hell out of his hand, but he didn't move. He just kept reassuring me and telling me to breathe in a calming and reassuring voice.
After being wheeled down for X-rays and CT, I was then later brought back to my room, since I was then stable. After some rest, Nurse Jacob and the assistant Nurse came and asked if I would like to walk the unit a bit, to help. They both agreed to walk beside me and assist me.
I walked with them up and down the unit for over an hour and told my entire trauma/PTSD stories in chronological order. What had happened that morning was that I had a full nervous breakdown, so bad that it sent me into the beginning of a heart attack. I was weakened from bowel surgery, stressed, sleep-deprived, and food-deprived; this triggered the mother of all PTSD episodes. I was diagnosed with PTSD many years ago.
Jacob listened, no questions, just quiet support, and strength. After getting back to my room, he professionally handled boundaries and guidelines in accordance with PTSD patients, yet still showed compassion and support.
Nurse Jacob, with the assistance of the nurse assistant, absolutely saved my body and mind and got me back on the road to mental and physical wellbeing.
Upon entering my room at the start of his shift, he noticed I was not responding to his repeated attempts to awaken, and I was moaning and crying loudly. When I did open my eyes, he was right there, and I said I needed help. My chest hurt, my heart was beating very fast, and I was not well.
Nurse Jacob called in the cavalry, ER docs, and trauma response team came and began to assess. Jacob did not leave; he stayed. He was calm, cool, yet concerned. When the trauma team couldn't get an IV started, he ran and got the ultrasound vein machine, found a vein, and started an IV on the first try.
When I had to get an artery IV stick in my right wrist, he held my hand and told me to squeeze because he knew it would hurt. I squeezed the hell out of his hand, but he didn't move. He just kept reassuring me and telling me to breathe in a calming and reassuring voice.
After being wheeled down for X-rays and CT, I was then later brought back to my room, since I was then stable. After some rest, Nurse Jacob and the assistant Nurse came and asked if I would like to walk the unit a bit, to help. They both agreed to walk beside me and assist me.
I walked with them up and down the unit for over an hour and told my entire trauma/PTSD stories in chronological order. What had happened that morning was that I had a full nervous breakdown, so bad that it sent me into the beginning of a heart attack. I was weakened from bowel surgery, stressed, sleep-deprived, and food-deprived; this triggered the mother of all PTSD episodes. I was diagnosed with PTSD many years ago.
Jacob listened, no questions, just quiet support, and strength. After getting back to my room, he professionally handled boundaries and guidelines in accordance with PTSD patients, yet still showed compassion and support.
Nurse Jacob, with the assistance of the nurse assistant, absolutely saved my body and mind and got me back on the road to mental and physical wellbeing.