The ED is a place where few times patients come in and recognize the care they were given. Patients are in and out and don't get to develop one-on-one relationships with their nurses.
I was able to witness one such grateful patient come in and thank Laura for her help and care the week before. A patient who experienced angioedema and presented to the ED in critical condition had the fortune to land Laura as his nurse. Due to her expert care and calm, cool nature, the patient was successfully cared for, admitted to the ICU, and discharged with no complications. He came back to the ED to express his thanks to both to her and the physician who cared for him.
As he saw Laura and the physician he began to tear up and profusely thank them both for saving his life. He stated what he remembered; only them coming in to intubate him and help him to breathe again but that he knew, without their help, he wouldn't be standing here today. The patient's wife also emailed to state how grateful she was for Laura's compassion and knowledge during such a difficult time. It's moments like these that make me proud to work with such extraordinary nurses who truly can save a life.