Olivia was the night shift nurse who took really good care of me. She was always positive, helpful, and treated me with respect. Both of my arms were broken and I couldn’t do anything for myself, besides changing the channel on the TV and calling the nurse by pushing the button. She did things for me like wipe my eyes when they got stuff in them and help me drink water when I was thirsty. She did these things happily and didn’t make me feel like I was a burden or causing trouble.

Where she provided outstanding care was after my surgery, which I had a nerve block that was supposed to last 24-72 hours, however, it only lasted 10 hours, and then very intense pain came roaring in. I was on some pain meds, but not enough to handle the pain I was feeling. Olivia knew I was struggling and went into action. She looked at my chart and realized I didn’t have enough pain medication prescribed given the nerve block wore off. She tracked down a physician to issue a prescription for a stronger pain killer. Olivia stayed with me and provided encouragement to help me make it. It was some of the most intense pain I have felt in my life (matched only by the bike accident that caused me to break my arms and be in the hospital in the first place).

While we were waiting for the physician’s prescription she couldn’t take away my pain, but she made it more bearable through her support and encouragement. For that, I will always be grateful to her. Overall, Olivia was outstanding as she connected with me as a human being and provided emotional support and encouragement during my suffering, in addition to doing all the other things nurses do to care for patients.