As many of us are cutting hours to meet productivity we cannot help but be concerned for those we know that struggle financially and depend on every penny and hour they work. Most of our employees, however, are too proud to ask for assistance or are embarrassed that their situation is what it is.
Last night, three of my nurses, Karen Baker, Matt Barry, and Karen Powell went above and beyond to help a coworker and a friend in need. The person they helped is one who would never let anyone know how bad she has it. Her home was damaged in the tornadoes and she hasn’t recovered. Her vehicle has had to have two repairs and she travels 45 minutes one way to work so you can imagine with gas prices what they are she is also having difficulty. To beat all, she is a single mother working nights at two different facilities, and not as nurse (to give you perspective about her income).
My three nurses took a few minutes, gathered funds and went to the store to buy her a turkey and the fixings so that she would not have to worry about providing a Thanksgiving meal this week for her family. I cannot imagine not being able to provide food for my children or saying “sorry kids, we don’t have anything tonight”. So, in a private moment as she clocked out, they took “supplies” to her car so they “wouldn’t embarrass her”. I know she and the ones giving were smiled upon from above this morning!
My heart was touched with the kindness these three showed to one of their own. What a grand example of our mission and values! I am so blessed to work with people like these nurses and in happy tears- I am very proud to be their manager.
Amy Rains, BSN, RN
Nurse Manager (Hixson ER)