It had been a long week. Our older kids were busy with end of school year events- field trips and special activities. My husband had been busy with spring planning and putting in long days. And our sweet little boy had not felt well all week. We had already been to urgent care and hoping he was on the mend, however on this day, he was far from on the mend and I knew he needed to be seen again.
I arrived at the Emergency Room with our 18-month-old son at 7 pm. A sweet little boy who was inconsolable and had thrown up yet again in the car on the way. He was wet, crying, and had a look that said: someone please help me feel better. We were taken back to a room and everyone got to work quickly to figure out what was wrong. During all the hustle and bustle of the workup, there was a very special nurse by our side. She had already put in her 12 hours of work that day, but no clock was going to tell her that her shift was over. I'm sure she was tired, hungry, and ready to get home to her own family but at that time, nothing mattered more to her than her patient. She stayed well beyond what she had been asked to work with no warning or advanced notice that it would be a late night.
As she cared for our son, she stroked his hair and looked onto his eyes. She spoke to him with a voice so calming and soothing. She told him what pretty eyes he had, she validated that he didn't feel like himself, she held his little hand and told him everything would be alright. With every needle poke or uncomfortable position, she said, "I'm sorry little buddy, we are trying to make you feel better." Through all the needle sticks, a trip to radiology, and a busy room full of people, she was the one that as a parent, I knew would not only care for but also advocate for our child during this time. She kept us informed of any results and updates, she checked with the doctor anytime we had a concern and she continually asked if we needed anything. What truly makes this nurse special is her extraordinary compassion, her genuine concern for not only her patients but also their family. She cares for the whole person with a sense of confidence all while having a significant positive impact on all who are so fortunate to be under her care.
At one time, she brought me clean clothes as mine had gotten wet and we were making an unexpected trip via ambulance to UW Children's hospital. Before she left, she hugged me and said, "Please call if you need anything." I know her response will be "I was just doing my job." But nursing is so much more than a job, it is a passion and a calling for a special person. Through this nurse's extraordinary acts of kindness, she shows that her profession is truly a passion. She truly goes above and beyond not only for her patients but their family by offering a change of clothes or a resource to call with questions. This organization and this community are so lucky that she has chosen a profession she excels at and loves as evidenced by her willingness to go above and beyond in all that she does.