A gentle touch. Patience and perseverance. Lisa Watkins is a loving caring nurse showing all these traits every day she works. On this particular day, her wonderful qualities shined through that much more as I impatiently tapped my toe ready to get out of work. We were called in for an emergency appendectomy on Saturday evening. When the patient made it to the PACU, that is when Lisa’s outstanding care began.

Soon after arriving the patient woke up in pain. Quickly working, she got the parents back with the patient to help support and comfort him, in addition to administering pain medications. She quickly relieved the patient’s pain, and he was able to fall back asleep. When he woke up again, the patient expressed he was anxious and scared to move. Lisa, using her gentle touch and soft voice, was able to help him calm down. Words of encouragement helped to empower the patient to learn to cope with the fear and pain.

Each little task was a huge hurdle for the patient, sitting up, taking a sip of water, putting on his shirt, moving in bed even just a little, but with Lisa’s gentle ways and perseverance, the patient was making progress in moving to get home. I found my tapping foot slow down and found myself joining the fabulous care Lisa was giving. She not only had a positive effect on the patient but also helped me to realize that a gentle approach to this patient was the ticket to success. Her soft voice also helped reduce the anxiety of the parents. They were worried about him going home if he was scared to move, but with her encouraging words, thorough discharge instructions, and wonderful listening skills, the parents overcame their worries and were ready to go home. The patient was successfully discharged.

I was lucky to work with Lisa that day and have her as my team member. I catch glimpses of her delivering the same care to all her patients in the PACU as I work with my own patients. I have learned from Lisa Watkins that with patience, a gentle touch, and perseverance I can find high-quality and successful care. Lisa Watkins is a wonderful nurse.