My grandmother was recently discharged from your hospital, but while there she received the best care from Shonda Womack. During my grandmother's stay she was forced to make an important decision, whether to return home or to enter into a nursing home. Shonda took time out of her busy day to sit and chat with my grandma. They didn't just chat about plan of care or health, they talked about my grandma and life. Shonda made my grandma smile and that meant the world to me because I hadn't seen that in weeks. They laughed and joked together. I think my grandma really loved her up-beat personality. My grandma looked forward to seeing Shonda. It was almost as if my grandma was comforted as soon as Shonda walked in her room. My grandma made statements like "she really knows how to take care of someone" and "She remembers to cover me up" and "she treats me like I'm a real person". These are just a few small words that mean so much to me.
When it came time to discuss plan of care, Shonda discussed with my grandma that how she was feeling was ok and expected. Shonda answered my grandma's questions openly and honestly. Shonda sat with my grandma and rubbed her back and supported her through it all. I was so incredibly impressed with her bedside manner. As a nurse and nursing instructor, I always look for inspiring stories to share with my students and fellow co-workers and I plan on using Shonda and my grandma's experience to inspire them to be the best bedside nurse they can be. It was very soothing to know that Shonda was there checking in on my grandma even when she wasn't my grandma's primary nurse. It put me at ease to know my grandma was receiving great compassionate care. Thank you so much Shonda. You were great!