Shelly first came on shift about an hour after we moved to a room in OB/Maternity, and I was preoccupied with something else still getting settled in, so I missed the formal introduction of what was taking place, and by that time I was able to direct my attention, listened as she thoroughly explained every possible aspect of what was taking place. Based on this, and her wardrobe being a different color than our nurse for the last hour, I assumed she was our doctor. Actually, after she left, I was able to relax some because I felt very confident in our "doctor" and it was only when she came back in the second time did I pick up on the fact she was not our doctor, but our new nurse. The high level of knowledge regarding every aspect of everything that was taking place remained over the course of her service to us. While I know nurses go through medical school and are very intelligent regarding their medical procedures, RN Shelly's knowledge level was above anything I have possibly imagined for a shift nurse, and after a week's stay in hospitals, can say her discussions/conversations with us were absolutely on par, if not better than any of the doctors we spoke with. In addition to her exceptional knowledge and ability to convey information easily to us, that knowledge was equaled by her compassion.
The situation of my wife having complications with our soon-to-be-born daughter should go without saying as being stressful and worrisome. While nothing can take that worry away even in a great place like UPMC Magee, I knew that when Shelly was on shift, not only would anything that could arise be given the best possible treatment available, but that something most likely wouldn't arise based on all preventive and precautionary measures she took as she was explaining everything along the way. While not meaning to slight any of the other great nurses we had, there was no doubt I had different stress levels when Shelly was off for the day, and the calming feeling I received when I'd see her walk into the morning, letting us know everything was going to be ok for the day. This feeling was illustrated by the fact when she told us her rotation was over and that we'd be discharged before her return and wouldn't see her anymore, I felt compelled to give her a big hug and thank her again for all she did, so much that, when she left the room I turned to my wife and said "that makes me sad; she was a security blanket that I feel was just taken from me.
Shelly was to us not only a heroine but an angel who watched over us. She has made an everlasting impression on me, my wife and when she's old enough to understand, our daughter, when I tell her about the extra special nurse she had watching over her Mommy when she was in the hospital in Pittsburgh for a while. Thank you, Shelly, for your extraordinary care.