Katie M O'Rourke
April 2024
Katie A.
O'Rourke
,
BSN, RN
Medical Surgical
Memorial Hospital
North Conway
,
NH
United States
Katie did everything to see that not only the patient was taken care of, but also the family that he left behind.
My father was admitted and passed away from sepsis. During the time he was there, Katie O'Rourke not only gave him the kind of care that he deserved in his last hours, but also showed such empathy and compassion to me and my family that it made a very difficult situation much easier. Katie did everything to see that not only the patient was taken care of, but also the family that he left behind. As busy as I’m sure she was, she never let us feel like we needed to wait for anything. She was everything we could have ever asked for in a care provider and my family will be forever grateful for Katie.
***
My father was admitted to Memorial Hospital with sepsis. He has a long history of Parkinson’s Disease and his health was severely deteriorating in this past week to the point his quality of life was now greatly affected. We made the difficult decision to provide him with comfort care measures only. My Mom and 3 siblings were at his bedside and Katie came in to introduce herself and explain how she will be taking care of my Dad. As she was talking to us, her eyes began to well up and she apologized to us several times for showing emotion. We were so touched by her sincere empathy for us in our time of need. She showed us such kindness and care and we will always be so grateful to her. She exemplifies the very best attributes a nurse can have. Thank you so much Katie!
***
Katie showed incredible compassion toward my father and family during my Father’s stay.
***
My father in law was admitted to Memorial at the end of his life. Katie was the nurse assigned to us. I say ‘us’ because although my father in law was the only person being admitted, Katie explained she’d be caring for all of us. And that’s exactly what she did. We were there for about 10 hours and left just at the end of Katie’s shift. Her easy, gentle, heartfelt skill and efficiency made it possible for us to support my father in law as he transitioned from this life. It was a hard but beautiful day, and Katie was as much a part of it as any one of us.
This is not to say that Katie just provided emotional support though she did do that. She monitored my father in law, gave him meds, worked with her colleagues to ensure his comfort. Her careful ministrations allowed him to relax and communicate with us until he couldn’t. She knew exactly what her role was and she executed it perfectly - and by that I mean as a true professional with a giant, caring heart.
All around the hospital is that series of posters telling us what Memorial strives to be for our community. Katie exemplifies each and every principle featured.
I know my husband’s family will never ever talk about the day of their beloved husband and father’s passing without mentioning Katie. We will all always be grateful she was on duty that day.
***
Katie O'Rourke became a part of our family within an hour of her taking care of our wonderful dad as he was in the dying process of Parkinson’s. Her compassion and empathy gave us such comfort. She actually shed tears which she was embarrassed about, because she said she felt the intense love for my dad from our family. I can’t even explain how that felt. She delivered his care seamlessly and she also took care of all of us. She looked at Each and every one of us in the eye to make sure we were OK and to see if there was anything she could possibly do to help us during this process. She became part of our family that day. I will never forget the love, care and comfort that she provided us all. I am so thankful that people like her are in the profession that she is. Thank you Katie. You are forever in our hearts.
***
My father was admitted to Memorial Hospital with sepsis. He has a long history of Parkinson’s Disease and his health was severely deteriorating in this past week to the point his quality of life was now greatly affected. We made the difficult decision to provide him with comfort care measures only. My Mom and 3 siblings were at his bedside and Katie came in to introduce herself and explain how she will be taking care of my Dad. As she was talking to us, her eyes began to well up and she apologized to us several times for showing emotion. We were so touched by her sincere empathy for us in our time of need. She showed us such kindness and care and we will always be so grateful to her. She exemplifies the very best attributes a nurse can have. Thank you so much Katie!
***
Katie showed incredible compassion toward my father and family during my Father’s stay.
***
My father in law was admitted to Memorial at the end of his life. Katie was the nurse assigned to us. I say ‘us’ because although my father in law was the only person being admitted, Katie explained she’d be caring for all of us. And that’s exactly what she did. We were there for about 10 hours and left just at the end of Katie’s shift. Her easy, gentle, heartfelt skill and efficiency made it possible for us to support my father in law as he transitioned from this life. It was a hard but beautiful day, and Katie was as much a part of it as any one of us.
This is not to say that Katie just provided emotional support though she did do that. She monitored my father in law, gave him meds, worked with her colleagues to ensure his comfort. Her careful ministrations allowed him to relax and communicate with us until he couldn’t. She knew exactly what her role was and she executed it perfectly - and by that I mean as a true professional with a giant, caring heart.
All around the hospital is that series of posters telling us what Memorial strives to be for our community. Katie exemplifies each and every principle featured.
I know my husband’s family will never ever talk about the day of their beloved husband and father’s passing without mentioning Katie. We will all always be grateful she was on duty that day.
***
Katie O'Rourke became a part of our family within an hour of her taking care of our wonderful dad as he was in the dying process of Parkinson’s. Her compassion and empathy gave us such comfort. She actually shed tears which she was embarrassed about, because she said she felt the intense love for my dad from our family. I can’t even explain how that felt. She delivered his care seamlessly and she also took care of all of us. She looked at Each and every one of us in the eye to make sure we were OK and to see if there was anything she could possibly do to help us during this process. She became part of our family that day. I will never forget the love, care and comfort that she provided us all. I am so thankful that people like her are in the profession that she is. Thank you Katie. You are forever in our hearts.