What a delightful, dedicated, and compassionate nurse who greeted me at 2245 hr! I’m a Holistic Nurse and recently retired. Due to hypercalcemia, I required IV fluids and admission from the ED. I was extremely concerned about my symptoms and root cause, pretty much a patient and not a nurse Lauren greeted me as I was transferred to the bed. She made eye contact and held it. I could see a smile underneath her mask. I was terrified at that point yet I experienced peace knowing I would be taken care of and could trust.

Lauren helped me get adjusted and introduced herself as she asked me some questions and did a body check. All the while smiling and listening as I talked. I will never forget her standing near and saying “tell me” …and she listened. She wanted to know who I was as a human being and not a number or diagnosis. My story was complicated and she heard me out and allowed me to verbalize my fears without shutting me down. I said, “You must be busy, have meds to pass and other needy patients.” She said she had time, was interested and I got the unspoken message that I mattered as a human, not as a patient.

Too often we get so attached to tasks and routines that we forget the Caring Factor. Lauren emulated this as natural as could be without having that Holistic Certificate. She continued to work with me for two more nights. I needed my IV restarted and blood drawn; I’m a hard stick and she persevered with care and an attitude of knowingness. I was duly impressed by her skill set. Lauren is an asset to your staff. I can see her progressing in her career and bringing other nurses along the ladder with her because of her interest in genuinely helping people heal themselves with kindness from the heart.