January 2023 Honoree
Rebekah Schahn, RN
Rebekah is extraordinary. Her name is Beck, she worked the night shift on the 2nd floor of the hospital. I had an appendectomy for a ruptured appendix. After 4 days I was discharged from Gulf Breeze Hospital. I continued to have pain but was assured by the PA that handled my post-op appointment that this was normal. Three days later the pain was unbearable. I went to the ER, and it was discovered that I had multiple abscesses and needed immediate hospitalization, again. We just moved to the area and had not developed a social network yet.
My husband is a merchant marine and was at sea during both of my hospitalizations. Aside from the horrible pain and discomfort of drains sewn into my back and stomach, I was feeling scared and very alone. I had researched my condition online and learned that it could be fatal. I was deeply medicated, the smell of the abscesses and drains smelled like death, and I became convinced I was in fact, dying alone in the hospital and I was sobbing.
My night nurse, Beck, came in for the usual rounds and noticed immediately that I was in crisis. The time she spent with me turned everything around. I know many medical staff haven't had the experience of being "on the other side" as a hospital patient. I also understand that nurses are often overloaded, making it difficult for them to connect with patients. Beck was extraordinary. I am a 62-year-old woman, she is only 24 but emotionally wise beyond her years. She showed me compassion, empathy, and kindness and talked to me like a close friend, even though we never met. She didn't make me feel like a melodramatic headcase, she made me feel understood. She validated my fears, at the same time assuring me I wasn't dying. She had such a calming effect on me and while I was still in pain, I felt safe and a lot more optimistic.
While I appreciate greatly the amazing work the nursing staff do, my experience with Beck was extraordinary. She is an amazing nurse and an awesome person. She has a very special gift of compassion and the ability to soothe without condescension. She had a huge impact on me, and I am forever grateful for her care.
My husband is a merchant marine and was at sea during both of my hospitalizations. Aside from the horrible pain and discomfort of drains sewn into my back and stomach, I was feeling scared and very alone. I had researched my condition online and learned that it could be fatal. I was deeply medicated, the smell of the abscesses and drains smelled like death, and I became convinced I was in fact, dying alone in the hospital and I was sobbing.
My night nurse, Beck, came in for the usual rounds and noticed immediately that I was in crisis. The time she spent with me turned everything around. I know many medical staff haven't had the experience of being "on the other side" as a hospital patient. I also understand that nurses are often overloaded, making it difficult for them to connect with patients. Beck was extraordinary. I am a 62-year-old woman, she is only 24 but emotionally wise beyond her years. She showed me compassion, empathy, and kindness and talked to me like a close friend, even though we never met. She didn't make me feel like a melodramatic headcase, she made me feel understood. She validated my fears, at the same time assuring me I wasn't dying. She had such a calming effect on me and while I was still in pain, I felt safe and a lot more optimistic.
While I appreciate greatly the amazing work the nursing staff do, my experience with Beck was extraordinary. She is an amazing nurse and an awesome person. She has a very special gift of compassion and the ability to soothe without condescension. She had a huge impact on me, and I am forever grateful for her care.
Thank you, Rebekah, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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