Haley Myers voluntarily took me under her wing to teach me how I can improve my nursing abilities and how I can provide quality care to my patients. I cannot emphasize how assiduous and encouraging she was about fostering my learning. She has a natural gift of showing others- whether they are a patient or a student nurse like myself- their personal strengths that enhance one's ability to learn and heal. Her guidance has allowed me to take another step closer to achieving my dream occupation. I am not certain where the nursing profession will take me at the moment, but her teachings have opened so many doors that I can explore- and someone who selflessly offers opportunities for others, as Haley has done for me and her patients, is an individual who deserves some recognition and opportunities of their own.
An example (out of many that I could recall) that best demonstrates what I have previously written involves a time when Haley and I were caring for a patient who was in the process of dying. The patient's family had not slept for the past two days due to their desire to stay and help care for their dying loved one. Haley provided the family with positive words of encouragement when they were assisting in the patient's care and demonstrated true empathy with the family that ultimately led them to form a trusting, therapeutic relationship with Haley.
In fact, the family trusted Haley so much that they, for the first time in a few days, felt comfortable leaving their loved one's side to go home and care for themselves. It was a profound moment to see Haley demonstrate such compassion through nursing actions to both the patient and his family. I feel that a good nurse effectively carries out the ordered treatments to care for a patient's physical needs, but I have learned through Haley's actions that an excellent nurse goes beyond just the physical aspect of nursing care- an excellent nurse cares holistically for both the patient and the patient's loved ones.
I consider Haley to be an excellent nurse. Excellent nurses like Haley are the reason why the nursing profession is honorable, benevolent, and remarkable. Excellent nurses like Haley are the reason why patients and their families can embark on the difficult journey of healing.