When I arrived at Mercy, I received excellent care from multiple nurses as shift changes took place. While it is always hard to say goodbye to your current nurse, I felt like I was starting over every time I was cared for by a new nurse. The nurses at Mercy make that adjustment easier with their care and bedside manner. While all of the nurses were amazing, no one came close to the care and love that I felt from Laura.
Laura came in at a shift change, introduced herself, and took the time to get to know me and my family. She told me that she would check in on me every half hour and that is exactly what she did. She walked me through everything step-by-step that was currently happening and what would be happening. When it was time to start pushing, her shift was over and her stay-cation was beginning. My heart broke because I was about to embark on the scariest moment of my life and the nurse who I had come to love was going to leave and yet again, I would be starting over.
To my surprise, Laura postponed her stay-cation and said that she was staying until my baby was born. I couldn't believe it, I am not a relative or close friend of hers and yet she was willing to stay by my side. She stuck to her word and was with me through my entire delivery. For a good 2 hours, it was just me, my husband, and Laura as I pushed and waited for the doctor to show up. Laura was such an amazing cheerleader for me as my exhaustion from pushing felt like it would never end. When it came time to deliver and my anxiety kicked in, she was right by my side along with my husband to talk me through the pain. After my baby arrived, she gave me and my husband a big hug and left. I never in my life have felt so much love and support from someone I barely knew.
I never got a chance to truly thank Laura for everything she did for me and my family. She turned a terrifying experience into a much easier one to tackle. Laura is truly deserving of the DAISY Award because she encompasses everything I believe Mercy stands for. She is compassionate, caring, loving, supportive, knowledgeable, understanding, and I could go on and on. Laura went above and beyond her duties as a nurse and I will be forever grateful and appreciative. Because of Laura, I will forever rave about Mercy Hospital and the care that I received from such an amazing nurse.