Until August 2014, except for having two children, I have never been an inpatient in the hospital, nor had I ever had any major surgery. I was anxious about having to have surgery(especially anesthesia) and nervous because "nurses know too much". I received excellent care throughout my new joint journey, but one person who totally impacted me was Juliane Pesek.

She was my nurse the first night after my surgery. At bedside report, the off going nurse introduced me to this very kind and compassionate young woman. This nurse who has been alive fewer years than I have been a nurse, impressed me immediately. She listened to report and explained that she would be back within a certain period of time and she kept her word. I was beginning to have a great deal of pain as the epidural was wearing off. Due to the medication infused in the epidural, I had to receive a certain pain medication, which was not totally effective. Juliane was in my room checking on me, repositioning me and providing any medication and comfort measures that she possibly could provide to me.

Without my calling for her, she certainly appeared much more frequently than hourly rounds. She spoke to me in a compassionate, respectful and very knowledgeable manner. She knew what she was talking about and I trusted her implicitly. She was my "nurse whisperer". She called anesthesia and got my pain medication changed as soon as she could and assured me that I would be more comfortable. I knew I would be because she said so and once again she was right.

I will be forever grateful for having the opportunity to be a patient under this wonderful nurse's care. I love nursing and I have been blessed to be in this profession for decades. As my career winds down, it is wonderful to have nurses like Juliane who will carry on the legacy of what being a nurse truly means!