Kimberly Young, RN, isn't new to nursing, just relatively new to Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan. So, while they were making assignments, neither her director nor manager realized that they'd assigned a patient undergoing a mastectomy to a nurse who, prior to joining Via Christi, had undergone the procedure herself.
We didn't think about her having an emotional response to this procedure because we were making decisions as best and as quickly as we could. But it turned out to be of benefit to them both.
Kim shared her story with this patient pre-operatively and told her she would be with her every step of the way. She even offered to share some ways to be more comfortable with the drains and to manage her pain following her surgery. This meant the world to this patient - the compassion and knowing that her nurse understood was so comforting.
Kim picked flowers from her garden and brought them to the patient's room the next day - a testament to the connection that was forged between patient and nurse.
The patient came back after she was dismissed with the same vase that Kim had used to deliver her fresh-cut flowers from her garden and brought fresh cut Iris's from her home and delivered them to Ambulatory Care with notes to all the staff who cared for her and thanked them for her wonderful care she received.