I was recently in the ED after an anaphylactic reaction, which was only my second severe reaction, and the first time a reaction returned after having been given an EpiPen. It was very scary for me. Megan was able to keep me calm when the reaction returned and when the first dose of steroids and Benadryl failed to stop it, she talked through it with me and made sure I knew the plan for if the next dose of steroids also failed. She held my hand and listened when I had a panic attack after the reaction subsided, and reassured me that it was okay to be scared and that anaphylactic reactions are definitely scary to have, and reassured me about my fears of it returning a third time. I'm also prescribed IV fluids at home but home health hasn't been able to get a catheter in recently, and I had gone without fluids longer than I should. She negotiated with the doctor to give me a bag of fluids before I was discharged while my PCP is working on getting my infusions fixed. She was incredibly kind and patient and didn't make me feel like I was burdensome or annoying for being so anxious. She was able to connect with me and calm my anxieties, which is a very important skill for nurses to have. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and she made sure that I would feel safe being discharged. I was so scared that the reaction would return that I was contemplating just not sleeping till the next night in case it returned in my sleep, she was able to reassure me so that I felt safe to go home and sleep after quite a long day.
Megan was able to make a scary experience much less frightening for me and was quick to respond to the reaction. She exhibited both great medical training and a confidence and grace with treating a patient with an anxiety disorder suffering a medical emergency. I wish more nurses were like her. I've had traumatic medical experiences that have caused me a fear of hospitals and medical staff, one pretty severe experience (failed anesthetic during surgery) happening less than two weeks prior to this visit. Most hospital visits for me are either bad or neutral. But Megan made sure this was a good one, and that I felt safe and cared for.