Working in healthcare over 40 years as well as being involved in this Veteran's VA care for 14 years, here is my experience with this Veteran's time on 9C and his care provided by his unit nurse.
My first impression of Liz was the moment I walked onto the unit. She was coming down the hall and better than the 5/10 rule, she immediately greeted me with a smile and asked, "Are you here for Veteran's?" After replying yes, she said, "He told me he was expecting you," introduced herself, and led me to his room - Wow! That action alone created a sense of trust in her and put me at ease. However, it did not stop there. Continuing throughout my visit, she showed nothing less than total commitment, caring, respect, dignity, and compassion to him and to me. She was continually attentive to his needs and to my questions being the first time I was able to ask them.
Another thing during my visit that struck me showing how great of a nurse she was, was Liz's interactions with another unit nurse. After he and I left the unit, his medication monitor started to beep so we immediately returned to the unit. A nurse in the hall assisted us in silencing the unit and offered to remove the IV for which we said please. Shortly, Liz appeared and immediately took over but acknowledged the assistance of the other nurse, thanking her. As we walked away, I overheard Liz praise the other nurse for her assistance, thank her, and tell her how much she loved working with her during her shift, etc. What true team spirit and teamwork!
There were many instances of her kind, calm, and helpful manner to talk about but difficult to mention them all so I am trying to highlight a few. Feeling very comfortable with the care he was receiving by Liz, I later left the unit and drove home to Washington. Later that evening, I called him and during our conversation, Liz entered the room. I could hear over the phone; that she was telling him good-bye as she was ending her shift. Then she did exactly what every Nurse should do, handed off her patient to the new Nurse exchanging information, introducing the new nurse and assuring him she would take good care of him. I could hear him express his thanks to Liz for her great nursing care and her as a person. I could feel what was coming next, that he wanted to give Liz a hug. Something unlike him, unless someone has made a great impact on him, especially a healthcare provider. Indeed, he did give Liz a hug and it put a huge smile on my face - this was the impact she made with him.
Liz is a true professional in her field and absolutely in the right place for now "bedside care." However, I see her growing to a more responsible yet just as important position where she can influence all nurses to be the same and provide the same wonderful, caring, respectful care she gave while treating him as an individual, expressing genuine concern, and patience with a vast majority of his needs and many requests!
Liz, never change, you are great! Of the 14 years, I have been involved with his healthcare provided by the VA systems, you are by far the one that has made the most impression - we wish all VA providers would learn from your examples and skills.
Thank you!
I do not want to diminish any recognition other nurses and doctors deserve during his stay but Liz by far stood out.