As a parent, no one ever wants to receive a phone call stating your teen child is being admitted to a behavioral health unit. Even more so when you are eleven hundred miles away. As I embarked on a twenty-hour drive, all I could think about was what condition my child must be in, mentally and physically.
Upon my entrance into Aurora Memorial, I met Megan. Looking back, I'm sure she could notice that I was very shocked to be there and uncomfortable with the situation my daughter had been in. She shared with me information concerning my daughter in a way that was instantly calming. It was instantly clear that she was a very caring and compassionate person. While spending the next several days going to daily visitations, I was fortunate enough to see a world-class nurse who works very hard at perfecting her craft. She demonstrates what the healthcare industry strives for- compassion, approachability, and knowledge. She demonstrated true compassion for my child from admission through discharge. My daughter constantly expressed to me how Megan was checking on her, and no matter how busy Megan's schedule had become, she always had a way of making every patient feel as if he/she was the most important.
Megan made herself very approachable throughout the entire process. I know on numerous occasions I approached her with numerous questions about my daughter. Time after time Megan never waivered and demonstrated why she is a class act where total healthcare is concerned.
Since my daughter has been discharged, she and I agreed that we wanted to do something to give back. We brainstormed numerous ideas with no regard to how big or small the contribution. We instantly knew we had to involve Megan. She was amazing from the initial approach through today. From helping us make decisions about what to do, through taking care of logistics, she handles it all. Finally, we jointly determined we would periodically provide pizza to the children's unit.
The most important thing that Megan doesn't know is she gave my daughter and me something to bond over. We remind each other about ordering pizza all week, and without Megan's help, it wouldn't be possible. I guess what I'm trying to express is that to Megan, it's just ordering pizza or making sure it's delivered, but to me, it's a lifetime of memories to share with my child. This is all made possible because Megan chooses to do more than any contract or job description says she has to.
Megan may hold the title of "Nurse", but she is so much more to the parents and patients lucky enough to meet her.