I’m a 73-year-old patient who has been in at Abbott for the past 4 days. Suffering from atrial fibrillation, I have been suffering from a variety of issues that resulted in this hospitalization. As you can imagine, I have had many nurses on various shifts for these last 4 days. On the 4th day, I had Jill as the daytime nurse. The first thing I noticed was her energy and passion. It was clear that she loved her work. Her attention to detail is off the charts. One example is the sheet she made to measure I/O’s per the mandate for “strict I/O’s”.

During my stay, there were many times when I didn’t feel that my urine output was being measured and logged. When the doctors doubled my Lasix dosage, she had the foresight to provide me with 2 urinals to manage the output. A second example involved the neurology test. Until Jill, the most complete exam of this type was performed by the prep nurse prior to the cardioversion. Not only did she do more checks than ever before, but she actually asked me about arm tremors and a weak left leg, indicating that she had recognized them right away. She asked for any insight as to why there was weakness in my left leg, to which I responded, and she recorded. Jill shared the findings already in my record, which no one has ever done during any stay.

It’s abundantly clear that she wants to learn about medical issues which are new to her. Her listening skills are top-notch and greatly facilitate true communication. Jill proactively offered things available to me. E.g., tissues, bathing, Kleenex, toothpaste and toothbrush, hand sanitizing wipes, mouthwash, deodorant, etc.

She performed her tasks with excellence and ensured that I had the right expectations in terms of things throughout the day and when she would be back to see me. If the doctor ordered a blood pressure check 2 hrs. after prescribing a new drug, Jill would be back within 2 hours. We had discussed my plan to go for a walk in the afternoon now that the sedation was gone in my system. She offered a belt for the walk where she could assist with managing any fall caused by my lightheadedness. Unbelievable … I had never been offered such a possibility, even at the Mayo Clinic. Jill kept double-checking on when I wanted to bathe. I was delaying it until the new double dose of Lasix had a chance to require the initial deposits of urine.

When I enter a hospital, it is my hope and expectation to get the best possible medical care and attention as possible. Jill has demonstrated and taught me the level of care possible from a performance and excellence point of view. This is reassuring because I can now know what to ask for if these types of things not received/provided. Having a nurse like Jill reduces the stress and worries of being hospitalized and the accompanying uncertainties.

This is huge…. Jill’s passion, high and enduring energy, attention to detail, wanting to learn to better assist with my medical issues, always being proactive in terms of where things are and next steps, always thinking of things that might be helpful and comforting to me as a patient, etc. clearly place Jill in a category of professionalism, passion, and excellence beyond her peers. As a patient, I very much appreciate these attributes and attitudes while medical issues are being resolved.

Abbott Northwestern Hospital is very lucky to have Jill, but more importantly, the patients are lucky and blessed to have the services of Jill. I will never forget Jill and will forever be filled with gratitude for her care/services. I’ve been truly blessed.