Kurt Louise Nuguid, BSN, RN

I did not want to be in the hospital! I am eighty-three years old. I have had my share of hospital stays. Within the last year, I had a particularly frightening one. It ended with me calling my daughter in tears and begging her to get me out of there.

I live with my daughter’s family where I enjoy the daily love of my three granddaughters. It is at their urging that I agreed, after four days at home not being able to catch my breath, to go to the emergency room at Lawrence Hospital. My intention was to get a diagnosis and take medicine to take home. I had no intention of being admitted. When I learned, however, that I might be contagious, I agreed reluctantly to admission. I was assigned to a bed on the fifth-floor unit. I couldn’t have been more lucky.

My family was not with me for the admission. I felt very alone. My anxiety grew greater as we passed each floor in the elevator. I remember shutting down at about floor three and refusing to answer the transporter's questions. However, when we turned the corner into the fifth-floor unit hallways, the magic began. It was a typical busy hospital corridor, but everyone was smiling, and it appeared they were smiling just for me. Several folks waved to me and called out, “Welcome to the fifth floor.” My anxiety began to lift. I was still among strangers, but I wasn’t alone. It was an amazing moment.

Even more amazing was the quick and friendly attention I received from the staff. A young man was standing at the door of my room. He gave me a Hollywood smile and introduced himself” I am Kurt, your nurse”. He moved to the whiteboard on the wall and wrote his name and the name of each staff person that would be helping me. I suddenly had allies. Kurt confirmed I was ambulatory and seemed to understand that that was important to me. With a great flourish, he directed my aide to one side of me, and he moved to the other. He offered his hand and said” If you are ready, we’ll get you settled. You are walking; if you need help, please ask. Otherwise, you are doing great”. I noticed I was beginning to feel valued, and my anxiety was slipping away.

Things happened quickly after that. I had water, blankets, food, and instructions regarding the TV. etc. within a half hour. Kurt continued to check on me. Meanwhile, staff was coming by to introduce themselves as though I were a member of their family. At one point, a staff member stopped by to collect the dirty laundry that was just outside my room. She stuck her head in and introduced herself. We chatted for a few minutes; she was delightful.

Kurt wasn’t all fun and games. He was extremely professional. While making me smile, he determinedly focused on my care plan. He explained everything down to the last detail and encouraged me to ask questions. At one point, he was about to give me an insulin shot when I heard one of those ominous messages that are broadcast throughout the hospital. I didn’t understand the words, but the message was clear. He rushed out of the room without a word. He returned moments later and explained that one of his other patients had an emergency. He apologized for leaving me hanging and completed the shot.

I could continue on about Kurt. He was on a 12-hour shift, and I felt he was managing my case every second. Meanwhile, he always entered my room, preceded by a smile. I began to feel safe; I began to care that he cared so much. I felt myself opening to healing.

I learned a lot about health care on the fifth-floor unit. I think Kurt was an example of what a well-managed hospital unit can do for patients. Kurt exemplified the unit's culture. Everyone was tuned in. Everyone smiled, and that contagion dominated that unit. Kurt appeared to be held in high esteem by his colleagues, and I sensed that was part of the culture the unit had for its entire staff. I personally thought it was an amazing model.

I healed on the fifth-floor unit. I felt valued. I felt safe. I felt cared for. I felt younger. I felt happier. I felt better. Frankly, I felt sad to leave. I credit Kurt for much of what I felt. Thank you to the heroes on the fifth-floor unit- to the aides, the nurses, the doctors, the administrative personnel, the support staff. They are all exemplary. I came home a new woman and am continuing to heal, carrying memories of my experience there. Thank you, finally, to Kurt Nuguid. I celebrate him as an example of where health care can go. It’s an amazing thought!.