Grace Villavicencio
February 2016
Grace
Villavicencio
,
RN
PACU
Beaumont Hospital-Royal Oak
Royal Oak
,
MI
United States

 

 

 

I have been a nurse myself for 36 years and have encountered many wonderful nurses both as co-workers and as patient/family members and Grace stood out immediately to me as someone who truly embodies the spirit of a nurse. I recently had what was to most people a pretty minor surgical procedure. When I awoke after surgery, there was Grace at my bedside with the most friendly smile and warm personality. Even though I was groggy, she engaged me in conversation about myself and my family. She shared photos with me of her adorable dog, I am sure partly to distract me from my pain. When she brought my husband back to see me she immediately acknowledged him and had a conversation with him. At that point, he was part of the team, not just a visitor. Her clinical skills were just as sharp as her communication skills. I knew I was in great hands. She was confident but humble. In the end, Grace gave me a hug, not something she needed to do but I could tell she genuinely wanted me to do well. I work in Nursing Administration and that might make a nurse a bit nervous or tentative about caring for me as a patient. Grace was so comfortable and kind, I am sure she didn't even know or care what my position was in the organization. I was just a patient but more importantly, a person to her. When asked about my experience in Suite 100, the first thing that comes to mind each time is "I was loved by PACU RN Grace." She is truly a special person and a nurse truly deserving of recognition.