Mary Murphy
May 2016
Mary Beth
Murphy
,
RN
Behavioral Health Unit
Portneuf Medical Center
Pocatello
,
ID
United States
Mary Murphy is a very compassionate and caring nurse. Many patients take so well to her because of her inviting, grandmotherly approach. I have seen her hold a patient's hand all night long while he was experiencing frightening hallucinations. I have witnessed her putting on grand feasts (with patient participation) every Thanksgiving and Christmas for our patients who cannot be with their families or who have had many years of lonely holidays. Without fail, she goes the extra mile every single shift to improve the milieu of the Unit by making things fun for the patients, whether in making games to help the patients learn their medications, exercise activities, or writing contests. I have seen her help many depressed patients to sing, dance, or play a game who otherwise would have remained isolated in their room.
No patient or staff should let the grandmotherly appearance fool them. I have seen her single-handedly, physically subdue a violent, young, male patient twice her size (An incredible sight, especially at her age!). I have never seen a nurse so effective as her at deescalating threatening situations. I think this is because of her calm, approachable, grandmotherly demeanor, but also because of her grandmotherly wisdom, confidence, and spunk. She demands respect, and she gets it, even from those who seem to have no respect for anyone.
My favorite thing about Mary though is her stories. To me, she represents someone who has witnessed several eras of psychiatric nursing come and go within her lifetime. She calls her time in the 1960's "the days before ethics" when she witnessed unthinkable things in psychiatric settings. Mary represents the evolution in a nursing specialty from nursing "dark ages" to a time when as nurses we can make a significant contribution to helping patients become part of society again.
Mary is going to retire soon. It is my hope that we can say thank you to this extraordinary nurse who embodies the nursing dedication, attributes, character, leadership, strength, and contribution which we all hope to have.
No patient or staff should let the grandmotherly appearance fool them. I have seen her single-handedly, physically subdue a violent, young, male patient twice her size (An incredible sight, especially at her age!). I have never seen a nurse so effective as her at deescalating threatening situations. I think this is because of her calm, approachable, grandmotherly demeanor, but also because of her grandmotherly wisdom, confidence, and spunk. She demands respect, and she gets it, even from those who seem to have no respect for anyone.
My favorite thing about Mary though is her stories. To me, she represents someone who has witnessed several eras of psychiatric nursing come and go within her lifetime. She calls her time in the 1960's "the days before ethics" when she witnessed unthinkable things in psychiatric settings. Mary represents the evolution in a nursing specialty from nursing "dark ages" to a time when as nurses we can make a significant contribution to helping patients become part of society again.
Mary is going to retire soon. It is my hope that we can say thank you to this extraordinary nurse who embodies the nursing dedication, attributes, character, leadership, strength, and contribution which we all hope to have.