After experiencing a traumatic incident while walking into work, that had my entire world seeming as though it had come crumbling to pieces in literally the blink of an eye, my completely sleepless night in the hospital did not help matters any. But as the morning shift started the next day and Kathryn stepped into my room, I knew right then that my day was going to be manageable to get through, emotionally survivable, and collectively calm.
Kathryn was the nurse for the job of having me as her patient that day. She had a very soothing presence, one that I needed on so many levels. She was seeing me at my worst. I was pregnant, overly tired, in a great amount of pain, hopeless, helpless, scared, full of worry and doubt, and uncertain of what to do next, and she did everything in her power to ease my fears and worry. She maintained her encouraging, enthusiastic, and caring nature her entire shift. Kathryn never let one question go unanswered, one concern not heard, or even one tear left unwiped. She met every physical need no matter how big or small such as staying on top of 3 different teams with regards to letting me finally eat; keeping ice packs filled for my broken leg; keeping my pain controlled; getting a plan established for the care of the open abrasions and road rash I had from the incident and even switching beds for me because one was completely uncomfortable and was causing more pain. Kathryn also went above and beyond when it came to my emotional needs as well. She was constantly checking the fetal monitor and making sure the volume was at a level I could hear because she knew from the nurse prior that it was a form of comfort and reassurance that my baby was okay. She sat with me and just talked to keep my mind in a positive place. She would try to help me laugh when all I wanted to do was cry and she wiped tears when all I could do was cry. She never avoided those situations that some would find uncomfortable and she never once made me feel as though I was alone. She comforted me and made me feel as though she genuinely cared. She stayed with me every step of my discharge process, beyond just reading me the instructions. She helped me change into clothes, after finding some for me to wear home since mine were cut off after the trauma. She helped obtain prescriptions from the pharmacy and even sat with me out front until my transportation was there. There are not enough words to describe the gratefulness I have for Kathryn. She was a blessing to me that day and it's evident she is an asset to the L&D team and the hospital as well!
While the initial reason for recognizing Kathryn was for the exemplary care from my admission, it is worth the added note that Kathryn's amazing care didn't stop with that discharge. When I had to return to L&D triage less than a week later after a follow-up visit with my OB and having decreased fetal movement and calf pain (which was found to be a DVT), Kathryn came to my side again. Though she was not assigned to my care that day, Kathryn offered a hug and caring words - words that exemplified her genuine compassion for me as a patient she truly cared for.