March 2020
Noreen
Donato
,
BSN, RN
Medical Surgical Cardiovascular
UF Health - Shands
Gainesville
,
FL
United States
We have a unique group of patients who choose to stay on Unit 66; those who come to the hospital to wait and hope for a heart transplant. They come with faith in us to take care of them while knowing they will be living here for an uncertain amount of time. Past patients have waited over three years, some without the outcome they were wishing for. Right now we have a young woman on our floor who has had a rough couple of months adjusting to the routines of the hospital; the poking, the IV medications, the isolation, and some uncomfortable side effects of medications. Our staff has always worked extra hard to make these patients happy, and they were trying to find something to help this patient find a little joy. When her 7 year anniversary came up with her fiancée, our nurses got to work. Two nurses, in particular, Rachel Byrne and Noreen Donato put in extra effort to make a special, memorable occasion for our patient. These nurses booked a private conference room and created a romantic table for a candlelight dinner and ordered favorite foods for the couple. In spite of being confined in the hospital, our patient had a special day and had her spirits lifted. The couple was surprised and amazed at the preparation that was done by our nurses for their special day.