Katrina
Maya
September 2011
Katrina
Maya
,
RN
SICU
NCH Healthcare System
Naples
,
FL
United States
About a month ago I was admitted to the hospital to have surgery on my back, an L3-5 laminectomy. Even though I am a healthcare provider and understood the procedure along with all of its pros and cons, as a patient it was perhaps one of the most frightening experiences I have faced regarding my own medical needs.
While I was cared for very well throughout my three day stay at the downtown NCH hospital, there was one nurse who stood out as both a competent and compassionate caregiver, as well as a role model for both myself and (hopefully) other staff. Her name is Katrina “Katie” Maya, R.N.
Katie was my admitting nurse on the day of my surgery, and she really did go beyond my expectations in her caring for me. I remember her taking the time to explain to me all of her interventions and assessment findings. Even though she knew me as a fellow practitioner, she did not treat me as such; she treated me like a patient with needs that required tending to. She compassionately covered everything without assuming I already knew, and included my partner in the dialog. Not having any recent experience working on a medical floor myself, and knowing how anxious my partner was, made this extremely important.
In addition, Katie took her time to talk with me about my life in general, and demonstrated to me that she really cared about me beyond just taking care of my incision and associated needs, the unit was very busy, yet she found time to walk with me around the halls. It was during these walks that I realized how blessed I was to have her as my nurse. We talked about my life outside the hospital setting, touching on home life and hobbies. I find it difficult to express in words how much it meant to me to have her thoughtfulness and her concern towards me on a physical, emotional and spiritual level, particularly at a time when she had other patients to care for.
Katie’s kind smile and attention to both me and my life partner will always be thought of fondly. She helped turn a very frightening experience into one that was both comforting and better understood. I truly believe that she demonstrates all of the attributes a DAISY Award stands for.
While I was cared for very well throughout my three day stay at the downtown NCH hospital, there was one nurse who stood out as both a competent and compassionate caregiver, as well as a role model for both myself and (hopefully) other staff. Her name is Katrina “Katie” Maya, R.N.
Katie was my admitting nurse on the day of my surgery, and she really did go beyond my expectations in her caring for me. I remember her taking the time to explain to me all of her interventions and assessment findings. Even though she knew me as a fellow practitioner, she did not treat me as such; she treated me like a patient with needs that required tending to. She compassionately covered everything without assuming I already knew, and included my partner in the dialog. Not having any recent experience working on a medical floor myself, and knowing how anxious my partner was, made this extremely important.
In addition, Katie took her time to talk with me about my life in general, and demonstrated to me that she really cared about me beyond just taking care of my incision and associated needs, the unit was very busy, yet she found time to walk with me around the halls. It was during these walks that I realized how blessed I was to have her as my nurse. We talked about my life outside the hospital setting, touching on home life and hobbies. I find it difficult to express in words how much it meant to me to have her thoughtfulness and her concern towards me on a physical, emotional and spiritual level, particularly at a time when she had other patients to care for.
Katie’s kind smile and attention to both me and my life partner will always be thought of fondly. She helped turn a very frightening experience into one that was both comforting and better understood. I truly believe that she demonstrates all of the attributes a DAISY Award stands for.