Melanie Martinez
December 2022
Melanie
Martinez
,
BSN, RN, CPN
Acute Care Pediatrics
Loma Linda University Children's Hospital
Loma Linda
,
CA
United States
The first time I met Melanie, I fell in love with her work ethic and drive to do what’s right.
My son was born in April of this year. He has complicated/ severe gastroschisis a C.VL and has caught CLABSI twice. He’s a strong boy but despite him being so strong he has not yet come home to us. He’s waiting for surgical intervention on his intestines. We have been here a long 6 1/2 months. And yes, it’s been hard on me, and yes it feels like it’s been years, but I’ve had the most beautiful souls taking care of my son. Every single nurse I’ve run into has been nothing short of kind to us. But the one that sticks out is Melanie Martinez.
I’m always so worried about having people who are willing to do as much as I am for my son. The first time I met Melanie, I fell in love with her work ethic and drive to do what’s right. So, I asked if she would be willing to be a primary nurse for my son and she said she was honored to do so. The thing is, I’m the one who should be honored. She shows so much passion for her job I know she puts her heart and soul into her work. She comes into work knowing a person’s life is in her hands and she handles it with grace and absolute compassion toward every single child in her care. She stood at my side for most of his journey here. The ups and downs, his first babbles, his first giggles….and she stood right at his side at the moments I was scared and he was at his sickest, constantly pushing to make sure he was healing happily.
Melanie has worked alongside me to help me understand my son's medical needs further, and she has worked alongside others to educate them on his specific needs. She goes above and beyond in educating me and stressing the issue of complete cleanliness with my son. She’s punctual, there's never been a time she’s late ramping down his TPN. She’s meticulous making sure that all of his lines are intact and clean and making sure he isn’t showing any form of distress.
Melanie is caring, she stood by my side and acted as my backbone when I was scared to the core the day I found out my son had MRSA. She’s strong seeing my son at his worst and still showing a level head throughout the entire ordeal. She’s giving absolutely willing to educate me and lend her time to speak to me when I just need someone to speak to. She’s kind and sweet. My son squeals and reaches for her every day he sees her he remembers her voice. She’s a safe space for me and my son in a hospital I feel so out of place being in.
I’ve never seen anyone show as much heart as Melanie, and I never expected to run into a person I so genuinely trust with my son’s life and with his healing process. She has become almost like family to me my son reaches out to her like she’s his own blood. He trusts her like he trusts me. I am forever grateful this woman stepped foot into my son’s life. Without her, I feel like my child would not be as immensely loved and supported as he is still to this day. Mel, we appreciate you from the bottom of our hearts.
I’m always so worried about having people who are willing to do as much as I am for my son. The first time I met Melanie, I fell in love with her work ethic and drive to do what’s right. So, I asked if she would be willing to be a primary nurse for my son and she said she was honored to do so. The thing is, I’m the one who should be honored. She shows so much passion for her job I know she puts her heart and soul into her work. She comes into work knowing a person’s life is in her hands and she handles it with grace and absolute compassion toward every single child in her care. She stood at my side for most of his journey here. The ups and downs, his first babbles, his first giggles….and she stood right at his side at the moments I was scared and he was at his sickest, constantly pushing to make sure he was healing happily.
Melanie has worked alongside me to help me understand my son's medical needs further, and she has worked alongside others to educate them on his specific needs. She goes above and beyond in educating me and stressing the issue of complete cleanliness with my son. She’s punctual, there's never been a time she’s late ramping down his TPN. She’s meticulous making sure that all of his lines are intact and clean and making sure he isn’t showing any form of distress.
Melanie is caring, she stood by my side and acted as my backbone when I was scared to the core the day I found out my son had MRSA. She’s strong seeing my son at his worst and still showing a level head throughout the entire ordeal. She’s giving absolutely willing to educate me and lend her time to speak to me when I just need someone to speak to. She’s kind and sweet. My son squeals and reaches for her every day he sees her he remembers her voice. She’s a safe space for me and my son in a hospital I feel so out of place being in.
I’ve never seen anyone show as much heart as Melanie, and I never expected to run into a person I so genuinely trust with my son’s life and with his healing process. She has become almost like family to me my son reaches out to her like she’s his own blood. He trusts her like he trusts me. I am forever grateful this woman stepped foot into my son’s life. Without her, I feel like my child would not be as immensely loved and supported as he is still to this day. Mel, we appreciate you from the bottom of our hearts.