Mai Her
February 2021
Mai
Her
,
BSN, RN
ICU
Aurora West Allis Medical Center
Mai made sure I felt like I'm at my mother's bedside. She made sure I didn't feel left out because I couldn't visit my mother.
What's the scariest part about this pandemic is unable to visit our loved ones. My mother was sent to the ICU for a while, and she's confused and unable to communicate. We all love her so much, but we respect the hospital's policy of no visitors. I am her activated Power of Attorney and I tried my best to make the best wishes for her. I also work in healthcare, so I know the struggles of being a healthcare worker. I'm sure all the nurses are running around helping and taking care of patients. Their patients can crash at any time.
At the same time, their patients' family members still need updates on the patient. I try not to be a burden and call as little as I can, but that's my mother and she's critically sick and old. I want to ensure she's improving or declining. There are many nurses who took care of her. When I called to talk to both night and day nurses, I could tell how the nurse is by the sound of their voice and if they tried putting themselves in family members' shoes. I talked to many nurses and they seemed rushing.
One day, I called after a long day of work, I heard this one soft voice. She was in my mother's room when I called, so I left my phone number and she called back. The first thing she said is "I'm sorry for not being able to talk to you earlier." This proved that she doesn't only care about the patient but also family members. I felt that she's going to be the best nurse to ask about my mother's conditions and general questions. She took her time to explain my mother's condition and her nursing plans and interventions for my mother. She made sure I understood why she didn't ask the doctor to turn off a drip. She made sure I felt like I'm at my mother's bedside. She made sure I didn't feel left out because I couldn't visit my mother. She makes sure I knew that all the nurses took good care of my mother regardless of if my mother is covid positive or a DNR patient. And that every patient deserves equal and quality treatments.
Mai provided a useful rationale. She's one smart and hardworking nurse. I am the most thankful for her because she passed the message well. I'm sure my mother is in good hands. What's the most wonderful thing to hear is the many sounds from behind that said, "Mai they want some stat labs and someone's on the phone for you," but she still make sure I don't have any more questions by asking, "Do you have any other questions that I can answer?" This makes me want to end the conversation so she can go see her other patients and talk to other family members or physicians. And she still wished me a good night before she ended the call. Mai is one perfect example of how a nurse should be. She's passionate, professional, and caring. Thanks, Mai.
At the same time, their patients' family members still need updates on the patient. I try not to be a burden and call as little as I can, but that's my mother and she's critically sick and old. I want to ensure she's improving or declining. There are many nurses who took care of her. When I called to talk to both night and day nurses, I could tell how the nurse is by the sound of their voice and if they tried putting themselves in family members' shoes. I talked to many nurses and they seemed rushing.
One day, I called after a long day of work, I heard this one soft voice. She was in my mother's room when I called, so I left my phone number and she called back. The first thing she said is "I'm sorry for not being able to talk to you earlier." This proved that she doesn't only care about the patient but also family members. I felt that she's going to be the best nurse to ask about my mother's conditions and general questions. She took her time to explain my mother's condition and her nursing plans and interventions for my mother. She made sure I understood why she didn't ask the doctor to turn off a drip. She made sure I felt like I'm at my mother's bedside. She made sure I didn't feel left out because I couldn't visit my mother. She makes sure I knew that all the nurses took good care of my mother regardless of if my mother is covid positive or a DNR patient. And that every patient deserves equal and quality treatments.
Mai provided a useful rationale. She's one smart and hardworking nurse. I am the most thankful for her because she passed the message well. I'm sure my mother is in good hands. What's the most wonderful thing to hear is the many sounds from behind that said, "Mai they want some stat labs and someone's on the phone for you," but she still make sure I don't have any more questions by asking, "Do you have any other questions that I can answer?" This makes me want to end the conversation so she can go see her other patients and talk to other family members or physicians. And she still wished me a good night before she ended the call. Mai is one perfect example of how a nurse should be. She's passionate, professional, and caring. Thanks, Mai.