Karsyn O'Connell, RN

I am a 22-year-old, who has lived a normal, active, and healthy life, despite being born, with grade 5 bilateral urethral reflux. I spent two nights at Ascension and Novi after being in and out of the ER for a UTI, kidney stone, and urinary retention. I was in a lot of pain and mostly just scared because I wasn’t sure why this was all coming back up.

Karsyn was my dayshift nurse for the two full days that I was there. She stood out to me in so many ways, but the empathy she showed in the care she gave me is something that will stick with me forever. She made me feel heard, she distracted me from the pain by getting to know me and making me laugh, and most importantly, she was my biggest advocate. She listened to all my concerns and did everything she could to order the right tests and get me the right care. I am starting nursing school myself in a few weeks, and Karsyn made me realize that I could change someone’s life too. She helped and inspired me in more ways than one, and I hope I am half the nurse she is one day! She should be so proud, and know that she impacted my life in such a huge way.