Michael D. Clay
January 2023
Michael D.
Clay
,
RN
Emergency Department
Mayo Clinic in Florida
Jacksonville
,
FL
United States
My fears and anxiety were completely calmed by Mike’s professional demeanor, quick and steady handwork, and amazing synergy working with the physician that was taking care of me.
The first time I met Mike I was scared for my life. I felt dark and cold in the waiting room of the emergency department at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Florida, with a huge hematoma on my knee from a surfing accident, a few days prior, that got infected and blew up out of nowhere. Mike went above and beyond to explain what was going on, assured me everything would be okay, and never left my side- my fears and anxiety were completely calmed by Mike’s professional demeanor, quick and steady handwork, and amazing synergy working with the physician that was taking care of me. It was almost as if Mike could anticipate every request the physician would make, was always prepared, and was two steps ahead.
Mike’s performance was top-tier quality. His confidence, reactive instincts, experience, and natural skills (i.e., easily getting the IV in painlessly and smoothly on the first try with the hands as calm as a surgeon) were assuring and potentially lifesaving- as time was the biggest enemy from going septic. Mike and I stayed in touch after that, as fellow Mayo Clinic employees, we showed each other mutual respect; but Mike did an excellent job of going above and beyond to demonstrate where to draw the line to treat me with respect as a patient and not just a coworker, by professionally demonstrating never violating any type of privacy.
Afterward, unfortunately, I ended up back in the hospital- where I was in an accident that required me to be admitted to the Neuro unit. During my time on the neuro unit, I texted Mike and told him about my situation. Mike was working either a swing or night shift, but on his break, he sacrificed his time to come to check in on me and see how I was doing, which was once again reassuring. After getting to know Mike at that level, I learned that he is the epitome of what a great nurse should be. Mike and his wife are not only great people but also exemplary nurses- a quality that I know is very hard to come by from years of searching for these kinds of people to join our amazing team of Mayo Clinic nurses.
Mike’s performance was top-tier quality. His confidence, reactive instincts, experience, and natural skills (i.e., easily getting the IV in painlessly and smoothly on the first try with the hands as calm as a surgeon) were assuring and potentially lifesaving- as time was the biggest enemy from going septic. Mike and I stayed in touch after that, as fellow Mayo Clinic employees, we showed each other mutual respect; but Mike did an excellent job of going above and beyond to demonstrate where to draw the line to treat me with respect as a patient and not just a coworker, by professionally demonstrating never violating any type of privacy.
Afterward, unfortunately, I ended up back in the hospital- where I was in an accident that required me to be admitted to the Neuro unit. During my time on the neuro unit, I texted Mike and told him about my situation. Mike was working either a swing or night shift, but on his break, he sacrificed his time to come to check in on me and see how I was doing, which was once again reassuring. After getting to know Mike at that level, I learned that he is the epitome of what a great nurse should be. Mike and his wife are not only great people but also exemplary nurses- a quality that I know is very hard to come by from years of searching for these kinds of people to join our amazing team of Mayo Clinic nurses.