I was a direct admit to 7 North following an acute right femur fracture. This was associated with severe arthritis of my right hip; I was originally scheduled for replacement surgery after Christmas.
Following a wonderful experience through the admission office, I arrived on 7 North.
I was in some pain, but it was tolerable.
Over the next several hours, muscle spasms set it, causing pain to jump off the charts.
Melissa was my 3 P - 3 A nurse. By the time she came on, I had an IV, and they started morphine boluses, which did nothing to touch the pain. Melissa worked tirelessly over her shift to find me comfort.
She exemplified our PENN Medicine Experience Standards:
She was COMPASSIONATE - I could see in her eyes and in her words and her posture that she truly cared about the level of my pain, and was committed to helping me.
She was PRESENT - I felt like she was there all the time, I know she wasn't but I never felt alone.
She was EMPOWERED - As a nurse, she understood her responsibility to care for her patient; and to reach out to providers to get me the help I needed.
She was COLLABORATIVE - Melissa worked with me, the doctors, other staff on the unit, my family, keeping us informed and cared for.
She was ACCOUNTABLE - She was with me each step of the way; confirming that I understood what was happening. I know she had other patients, but she made me feel I was the only one.
She was amazing; as a part of the organization myself, I am proud that we have nurses like Melissa to take care of all our patients, every day.