Ryan Smith
February 2025
Ryan
Smith
,
RN, BSN
Cardiovascular
UK HealthCare
Lexington
,
KY
United States
In that moment, he really went above his nursing duties and appealed to the human side of nursing.
My father underwent open aortic valve replacement surgery in early November. He received exceptional care during his time at UK Chandler Hospital, but one nurse in particular stood out. Ryan Smith was my father's nurse, and not only was he highly skilled in the care he provided, but he also showed extraordinary compassion.
From the moment he entered my father's room, he was focused on the needs not only of my father but of all of us. He did an exceptional job educating us on what was happening every step of the way and what to expect next. I witnessed him taking the time to teach other nurses on the unit in a way that was informative and understanding.
Although across the board, he was an exceptional caretaker, one moment really stood out during my father's stay. My 12-year-old niece came to visit him, but has always been nervous in medical settings. She was especially unsure about seeing her 'Papa" in the hospital with countless lines and tubes attached. Her older sister visited my father, and when Ryan saw how her presence made such a difference in my father's demeanor and outlook, he said he would do anything he could to help my younger niece feel comfortable coming into the room.
He spent time talking to my sister (her mother) to find out specifically what her fears are, and did what he could to hide the lines with blankets and pillows. He promised to be in the room when she came in, just in case she had any questions. We convinced my niece to visit my father, and, true to his word, Ryan was in the room to greet her and explain everything going on in a way that wasn't scary to her and actually piqued her curiosity. He also made a point of thanking her for coming in and explained how much of a difference her presence would make in my father's recovery.
In that moment, he really went above his nursing duties and appealed to the human side of nursing. I will never be able to adequately express my gratitude for his presence, not only for my father but for all of us during his recovery. I work in healthcare and am accustomed to seeing the sacrifices caregivers make and the countless ways they go beyond what is expected to care for the entire patient, but Ryan's compassionate care was one of the best examples of this I have ever witnessed.
From the moment he entered my father's room, he was focused on the needs not only of my father but of all of us. He did an exceptional job educating us on what was happening every step of the way and what to expect next. I witnessed him taking the time to teach other nurses on the unit in a way that was informative and understanding.
Although across the board, he was an exceptional caretaker, one moment really stood out during my father's stay. My 12-year-old niece came to visit him, but has always been nervous in medical settings. She was especially unsure about seeing her 'Papa" in the hospital with countless lines and tubes attached. Her older sister visited my father, and when Ryan saw how her presence made such a difference in my father's demeanor and outlook, he said he would do anything he could to help my younger niece feel comfortable coming into the room.
He spent time talking to my sister (her mother) to find out specifically what her fears are, and did what he could to hide the lines with blankets and pillows. He promised to be in the room when she came in, just in case she had any questions. We convinced my niece to visit my father, and, true to his word, Ryan was in the room to greet her and explain everything going on in a way that wasn't scary to her and actually piqued her curiosity. He also made a point of thanking her for coming in and explained how much of a difference her presence would make in my father's recovery.
In that moment, he really went above his nursing duties and appealed to the human side of nursing. I will never be able to adequately express my gratitude for his presence, not only for my father but for all of us during his recovery. I work in healthcare and am accustomed to seeing the sacrifices caregivers make and the countless ways they go beyond what is expected to care for the entire patient, but Ryan's compassionate care was one of the best examples of this I have ever witnessed.