I was hospitalized when I had an operation for kidney cancer. During my hospital stay, I was fortunate to have Sarah Kint as my nurse.

From start to finish, Sarah made my hospital stay as pleasant as possible. Since I used to volunteer at the hospital, I was able to meet and observe a lot of the nurses. These observations influenced my ability to decipher who was average, above average, or exceptional in caring for their patients. My job as a volunteer was to visit patients and diplomatically try to find out what they thought about the care they were receiving from their nurses.

Patients would often confide in me as a nonthreatening person and divulge their complaints or compliments about a nurse who was exceptionally caring about the welfare of their patients. 

My kidney cancer operation was the scare of my lifetime. I am 77 years young and have always dieted and exercised, so I was a good candidate for surgery despite my age. Sarah did everything she could to make sure that I felt as comfortable as possible. A cold pack leaked during the night, and I woke up cold and wet through and through.

Sarah helped me get into the recliner and changed all the bed linens and hospital gowns I was wearing efficiently and quietly. She encouraged me to take walks with her down the hallway and around the room with patient energy.

The date for my surgery was close to Thanksgiving. No one really wants to work the three days before the holiday but, Sarah worked without complaint and with good humor. No request of mine went unanswered, from picking up a dropped cell phone to trying to find a thimble that I thought I had brought with me to the hospital. The thimble belonged to my mother, and I used it as a “Worry Stone.” I had inadvertently left it at home!

In summary, Sarah is a kind, intelligent, and thoughtful person who is a credit to the nursing profession!