When patients are in the Emergency Department they are usually not only dealing with the physical medical situation they are currently enduring but also the dread of being in the hospital. Those of us who have medically complex chronic illnesses want more than anything to just be home living our lives to the fullest and when we get sick requiring what can feel like the billionth ED/Hospital trip we struggle in many ways.
Melanie Santos, RN, is the kind of nurse you just hope and pray you get. She is very sweet and calm and no matter what condition you are in, Melanie comes in as a ray of sunshine. Her smile is contagious and you can't help but feel relief wash over when you see her because instantly you know you will be okay. The ED is a fast pace, lots of tension, environment where time management is one of the hardest things in nursing to master and Melanie is incredible at making sure all her patients get what they need when they need it as streamlined as possible. Whether the ED is crazy busy or those brief moments where its slower. Melanie will ensure each and every one of her patients are cared for in a way that everyone deserves to be treated with respect, compassion and kindness.
She takes the time she can to listen and can put a smile on your face even when it feels like the worst day of your life. Melanie has all the skills, talents and the most incredible level of understanding I've ever seen in an ED nurse. She respects what her patients have to say because she knows that people with chronic illness know our bodies best and we know what's up. She helps those of us who struggle with communication, or whatever we have a hard time with, relax and advocates to make sure we get what we need. For all the times I've had the true blessing of Melanie I'd say the number one thing that sets her apart is her ability to make me smile and laugh in my hardest moments... It takes someone special to be able to help people feel better on the worst days of their lives.
Melanie Santos is most certainly the kind of nurse that meets the DAISY Award definition to a T! I recommend with all my heart she be honored with the DAISY Award for all that she has done and continues to do! If there was one clear message I would say to Melanie it would be this- Thank you for always being so awesome no matter what-- You ROCK!