Kerri Gallagher
February 2017
Kerri
Gallagher
,
BSN, RN
Neurosciences Unit
Children's National Medical Center
Washington
,
DC
United States
I would like to thank you for all you did for me while I was in the hospital. I would have liked to thank you in person for all of your generosity, but whenever you were around I couldn't seem to find the words. I like to pride myself on my extensive vocabulary, but it seems that I can only rely on it when I turn to writing. One expression I have taken to sharing with my friends is, "a nurse can make or break a hospital stay. A good nurse can cause you to leave the hospital looking over your shoulder sadly and a bad one can lead you to attempt a hospital escape". While I never attempted to escape the hospital, at some points I wanted to, but you made all the difference.
Someone who is truly great works with people and treats them as people. You were a great nurse to me. I didn't feel as if I needed to tell you that I was in pain, you observed, took initiative, and had things I needed prepared before I had even asked for them. You stopped by numerous times when I wasn't your patient to check in on me and give me encouragement. I cannot thank you enough for these acts of altruism and generosity.
I struggle to describe the loneliness, discontent, and entrapment that I felt in my worst moments, but every time you stopped by, my outlook brightened; however, one thing needs to be remarked on above all others. After the installation of the central line, I was in excruciating pain. I felt as if my chest was being crushed and as if my strength and vitality were being horrendously sapped. You stayed, after your shift had ended, to complete the first Plex-Treatment with me. That meant the world to me. You somehow managed to do everything I wanted you to do at that moment, you worked quickly and efficiently, the questions you asked were brief and concise, but showed sympathy and care, and most importantly, I felt like you knew exactly what you were doing. I felt safe with you.
Thank you, you did what you could, not just what you should. Your deeds weren't always big or time consuming, but it felt massively important, your help meant the world to me.
Someone who is truly great works with people and treats them as people. You were a great nurse to me. I didn't feel as if I needed to tell you that I was in pain, you observed, took initiative, and had things I needed prepared before I had even asked for them. You stopped by numerous times when I wasn't your patient to check in on me and give me encouragement. I cannot thank you enough for these acts of altruism and generosity.
I struggle to describe the loneliness, discontent, and entrapment that I felt in my worst moments, but every time you stopped by, my outlook brightened; however, one thing needs to be remarked on above all others. After the installation of the central line, I was in excruciating pain. I felt as if my chest was being crushed and as if my strength and vitality were being horrendously sapped. You stayed, after your shift had ended, to complete the first Plex-Treatment with me. That meant the world to me. You somehow managed to do everything I wanted you to do at that moment, you worked quickly and efficiently, the questions you asked were brief and concise, but showed sympathy and care, and most importantly, I felt like you knew exactly what you were doing. I felt safe with you.
Thank you, you did what you could, not just what you should. Your deeds weren't always big or time consuming, but it felt massively important, your help meant the world to me.