Big boys don't cry, but I may have felt like it when I woke up in CCU. It had been a fitful night following an unexpected heart attack and stent placement. I was tired, uncomfortable with the lines in and out and attached to me and unsure of what my day (and future) would hold. Then things started to look up, and it wasn't even breakfast time. Kaylee Z is an outstanding person and nurse. She performs her job in an efficient, professional manner, but there is something more. She has a warm and friendly manner that gets you comfortable. She takes the time to explain why all these blood samples are being pulled. Kaylee introduced me to the specialists who came in for chest X-rays, making me feel more like a valued person than an object.
With Kaylee in charge, I wasn't being surprised by new things/procedures/people. She explained, introduced, and encouraged. I am not sure how she finds time for people skills, as I could see her desk area and she was busy ALL day long, but she found time to make my day easier and brighter. Kaylee has excellent communication skills and provided an informative update to my wife after a warm introduction. We both felt much better.
Kaylee gave me great feedback after my initial session with the rehab specialist, and the positive words helped. My results (along with my lunch) were good so Kaylee outlined the upcoming transition to the cardiac wing, including the great news that I would be on a portable monitor rather than being tethered to the CCU machines. When my room was available, Kaylee transported me down and didn't make me feel foolish for riding around in a wheelchair.
I was warmly introduced to the new staff, where I already felt comfortable thanks to her kindness. I can see from this new perspective that nursing is a very demanding profession. I feel I received good care from all the nurses I encountered during my three-night stay at Parkwest. Kaylee elevated that care at a time when it was very beneficial to my well-being and my family's state of mind. She cares deeply about her patients, their families, and is an advocate when needed. Perhaps supervisors can join her on her rounds to help bottle the magic and share where needed. Kaylee is a true DAISY Nurse!