We would like to share information regarding positive recognition for Nicole Moline, who helped us in the ER at MyMichigan in Mt. Pleasant, MI, last February, when my husband was the patient. We arrived at the ER around 11 a.m. that day and did not leave until after 11 p.m., when my husband was transported to Alma Hospital by ambulance for pain management.

Nicole worked hard to try and have my husband directly admitted to Ann Arbor to Michigan Medicine for hip replacement surgery. Since this attempt failed, he was sent to Alma Hospital. He was observed in Alma for three days and from there went to Medilodge in Mt. Pleasant, where he could receive observation and care before hip replacement surgery.

While in the Alma Hospital, my husband's hip replacement surgery was scheduled at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor. While at the ER in Mt. Pleasant, Nicole closely monitored my husband all day. He was in extreme pain, and she helped provide medical care. He, at that time, had undiagnosed avascular necrosis in his hip.

After a day of diagnostics and observation, Nicole was the first medical provider to state that my husband had "uncontrolled pain". He had been unable to do all tasks of daily living due to pain and immobility for several weeks at our home before the ER visit and had developed a blood clot. During the ER visit, my husband was given several IV narcotics. He was a fall risk due to this, and this was of further concern because he was on a blood thinner due to the blood clot.

Nicole showed patience and persistence in trying to get my husband to a safe environment where his pain could be monitored and treated, and where he could be safe. We all knew he needed hip replacement surgery, but we were having difficulty getting that scheduled either in Mt. Pleasant or in Ann Arbor. Her attention, patience, and sensitivity to my husband's situation were what led him to be sent to the Alma Hospital that evening for observation. Nicole cared. She watched all day. She made calls, talked with other professionals, and arranged for him to be safe. Safety and comfort were her goals. Going home that evening would not have been safe for him. I could be with him, but not provide safety for him in our home with stairs.

Pain, immobility, a blood clot, and being on a blood thinner were some of the considerations taken into account before my husband was discharged from the ER that evening. Nicole was the reason he was not discharged home. We appreciated all she did in advocating for him and his safety. She observed, assessed, listened, and advocated. She worked for hours on this. It was greatly appreciated.

My husband's observation and care at the Alma Hospital helped get him to Michigan Medicine and the surgery he needed. We are grateful for Nicole's good care, compassion, and determination in helping my husband and getting him further health care and a procedure that was direly needed. She communicated well with me, as his wife and advocate, and helped me greatly also. It is nurses like Nicole who should be recognized and who are greatly appreciated by us.