I rounded in the room today with a patient. She, unfortunately, has a chronic condition that gets her into the hospital every couple of months. She has always chosen St. Clare for her care. She stated that she always receives exceptional care, but there is one nurse that has stood out among all the great caregivers she had the pleasure of having - "Lisa, my night nurse."
She went on to explain, with tears running down her face, "I don't want to bother anyone with my issues - both medical and personal, but for whatever reason, Lisa made it feel ok to open up to her about everything. Lisa let me talk about my concerns with my care, and the fear I was having about going home and suffering from my chronic problems, and I worry about my husband who is sick also - it really is the blind leading the blind at home.
Lisa was so thoughtful that when I started to get sick, she brought me a fan for my room. I was surprised because I didn't ask for the fan, but she stated, "I thought this might help, it's what I would do for myself at home, and I've found it to help." She was right. It was just what I needed.
Being in the hospital for days on end, you start to feel overwhelmed by all the poking from the lab. I am a hard person to get blood from so they always end up poking me more than once, and often I ask them to just stop because I can't take it anymore. I was so sad when my IV needed to be replaced. It made me so anxious, but Lisa took the time to sit at my bedside and study my hand. She was able to place the IV in one poke, and I swear I didn't feel a thing. Lisa told me that she was a new nurse and she had just gotten lucky. I know that it wasn't luck but really her skills.
Lisa is an amazing nurse. Sometimes you know when someone really enjoys their job, and I know Lisa enjoys her job - she was made to be a nurse.
I want to thank you, Lisa, for all that you've done for me."