November 2014
Jennifer
Mikulas
,
RN
6 South
James A. Haley VA Hospital
Tampa
,
FL
United States
I would like to introduce you to an extraordinary nurse who works on 6s. Her name is Jennifer Mikoulis. Several weeks ago-Jen had a patient who died on her shift. She had only had this patient for several hours. She and everyone else did all they could to save him. They couldn't. Jennifer cried. When Jen has to send a patient to one of the critical care units or send a patient back to the unit even though she's done everything right, Jennifer cries. When her long-term patients are finally able to be discharged whether to a Skilled Nursing Facility, our Nursing Home, an Assisted Nursing Facility, Hospice or just home, Jennifer cries. When past patients and/or their family come to the VA for their follow-up appointments, they come to see Jennifer. They want to show her how well they're doing. Jennifer cries.
Jennifer is who I think of when I hear the word nurse. She is caring and compassionate. She can be both consoling and yet talk them into doing exactly what they should be doing to get well. She mothers, teaches, listens and lectures to her patients. She laughs with them and cries with them. She makes them want to get better. Sometimes I think they get better just to please her. She makes her patients feel important, deserving, and worthy.
The good qualities that Jen shows to her patients are also extended to everyone who meets her. She's always ready to lend a helping hand when needed, an ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry on. She believes that you should continue to learn new things, then teach what you've learned. She wants you to ask questions when you're not sure and to keep asking until you are. She fights for what's right yet will compromise if necessary. Most of all she listens without judging or criticizing. She makes you want to be a better person.
Jennifer will tell you that she's not a saint. She's a real person with her own cares and worries. She doesn't put on an act. She really cares for the people she works for and with. She's special. She may look small in size but in stature, she's 10 feet tall and that's how she makes everyone feel.
Jennifer is who I think of when I hear the word nurse. She is caring and compassionate. She can be both consoling and yet talk them into doing exactly what they should be doing to get well. She mothers, teaches, listens and lectures to her patients. She laughs with them and cries with them. She makes them want to get better. Sometimes I think they get better just to please her. She makes her patients feel important, deserving, and worthy.
The good qualities that Jen shows to her patients are also extended to everyone who meets her. She's always ready to lend a helping hand when needed, an ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry on. She believes that you should continue to learn new things, then teach what you've learned. She wants you to ask questions when you're not sure and to keep asking until you are. She fights for what's right yet will compromise if necessary. Most of all she listens without judging or criticizing. She makes you want to be a better person.
Jennifer will tell you that she's not a saint. She's a real person with her own cares and worries. She doesn't put on an act. She really cares for the people she works for and with. She's special. She may look small in size but in stature, she's 10 feet tall and that's how she makes everyone feel.