Kayla Franey
March 2021
Kayla
Franey
,
BSN, RN, CCRN
Critical Care
Nebraska Methodist Hospital
Omaha
,
NE
United States
Kayla never stopped advocating for my dad. She had hard conversations with us about dad's wishes. Her care and compassion never ended, but she also made sure that he was her number one priority.
My father was diagnosed with COVID. Things rapidly went downhill for him, and he was intubated and transferred to the ICU. Our first contact with Kayla came over the phone as he was still in isolation, and we were not allowed to visit. Every time we would call and talk to Kayla, she was amazing. She answered every question we had, explained every unknown and there were many of both. She would relay messages to my dad from different family members and would take the phone in and put it by his head, so we were able to talk to him. Kayla even asked what kind of music dad liked so she could play it for him while she was working.
Oftentimes, she would tell me that she talked to him and held his hand for a while. Sometimes there was good news to tell us and sometimes the news was difficult to hear. She was always very open and honest with so much kindness and compassion. We were finally able to meet Kayla in person when dad was removed from isolation. She would sit with me in the room and listen to endless stories about him. She would laugh with me and cry with me. She truly cared about him and us. The entire time, through all the ups and downs, Kayla never stopped advocating for my dad. She had hard conversations with us about dad's wishes. Her care and compassion never ended, but she also made sure that he was her number one priority.
Our family made the decision to move to comfort care. He did not have a good prognosis. 3 hours later, he woke up and became responsive - he's truly a miracle. Kayla came to see him even though she was not caring for him that day. She took time out of her extremely busy and stressful day just to check on him and his family. She is an angel on Earth. After a month in the hospital and over a month in a rehabilitation setting, my dad came home. I know in my heart that wouldn't have been possible without the amazing care he received from all the nurses and doctors and therapists. But I know in my heart, without Kayla, that would not have been possible. She is the embodiment of what a nurse is and does it with kindness, grace, and grit not seen in many others. She will always be an angel to our family and especially, my dad.
Oftentimes, she would tell me that she talked to him and held his hand for a while. Sometimes there was good news to tell us and sometimes the news was difficult to hear. She was always very open and honest with so much kindness and compassion. We were finally able to meet Kayla in person when dad was removed from isolation. She would sit with me in the room and listen to endless stories about him. She would laugh with me and cry with me. She truly cared about him and us. The entire time, through all the ups and downs, Kayla never stopped advocating for my dad. She had hard conversations with us about dad's wishes. Her care and compassion never ended, but she also made sure that he was her number one priority.
Our family made the decision to move to comfort care. He did not have a good prognosis. 3 hours later, he woke up and became responsive - he's truly a miracle. Kayla came to see him even though she was not caring for him that day. She took time out of her extremely busy and stressful day just to check on him and his family. She is an angel on Earth. After a month in the hospital and over a month in a rehabilitation setting, my dad came home. I know in my heart that wouldn't have been possible without the amazing care he received from all the nurses and doctors and therapists. But I know in my heart, without Kayla, that would not have been possible. She is the embodiment of what a nurse is and does it with kindness, grace, and grit not seen in many others. She will always be an angel to our family and especially, my dad.