The right nurse when you need one.
I arrived at the hospital via ambulance around 8:30 or 9 pm. The ride to the hospital was pretty bumpy; I could feel every bump in the road with my appendicitis.
When we got to the ward, we were greeted by the friendliest smiles. I felt good to be there.
I cannot recall exactly, but I was quickly instructed to get changed into a hospital gown whereupon my wife helped me to put away some of my things. My nurse promptly returned, and with the assistance of other staff helped me get settled.
My wife and I were worried as I was feeling some discomfort and pain from the sickness. My nurse addressed our concerns and answered our questions. Her response and professional conduct for my care helped us so that we felt we could put our concerns at ease.
She then proceeded to introduce herself; we looked as Grace wrote her name on the board. She mentioned my care team and my proposed plan of care. She also asked how I was feeling and if there was anything I needed.
I was hoping for my wife to stay with me, and so Grace asked my wife is she would be staying and need a special sleeping chair, whereupon, she organized a chair to be delivered to my room. Throughout the night, I received several visits from different people carrying out blood tests, blood pressure tests, as well as checking my glucose levels.
Grace continued to check and administer medications I needed throughout the night. Her visits were frequent, routine, scheduled manner. I appreciated this as I knew that she systematically knew what she was doing. My condition began to stabilize; this type of care was a comfort to me.
My second day in the hospital showed much improvement. Grace returned to do her evening shift and I was a little more chatty and happy to see her.
On my third day of being in the hospital, I had a misunderstanding, instead of telling anyone how I felt I decided to bottle it in. I refused to tell anyone that I was having a lot of abdominal pain. I just closed my eyes and wept.
That night I couldn't sleep due to my abdominal pain. Grace came in to do her timely check and patient care. I felt the need to open up and I asked her if she could get me some medication. She got me the medication and I started to feel better. It was that night in the silhouettes and darkness of my room that I realized it's important to have a nurse who can do a professional job and take care of people but continue to do it in a way that she helps people get well.
Grace would come in without turning on the lights, and check all of my vital signs, check medications, and with sincerity ask how I was feeling. I could see her when I opened my eyes due to the LED glow from the medication pumps. With concern, Grace would always ask how I was feeling and if there was anything I needed. This experience with Grace is etched into my mind that she is the nurse that helped me get much better. Grace is a true "Nightingale" and DAISY Nurse for being: The right nurse when you need one.