Letters don't normally have titles but I would like to entitle this letter "I Saw a Real Nurse Today". The care given to my aunt, D, who is mentally challenged was remarkable. D had a massive heart attack earlier this year and we want to especially recognize Nurse Kara for the care she provided.
Kara hits the ground running. She exhibits a special gift of zeal for nursing. It is evident that she is on a mission to heal as she assisted the doctors with her warm personality and expertise. She checked in with our family often to see if we needed anything. She asked if there were any questions, concerns or comments. It is very clear that Kara is on a mission. We were always asked if we needed anything to drink, crackers, etc. We were kept up to date throughout D's stay regarding the plan of care. She didn't assume that we knew what was happening. She explained things to us. Even though D is mentally challenged, she was shown dignity. Kara made sure that the bed was stripped and changed when needed. She talked to D even when she was unable to respond back to her. It seemed that she knew exactly what D needed. She bathed D from head to toe when she began to come around after being on the ventilator and her gown was soiled. Our respect for nurses grew rapidly as we observed Kara's service from the heart. That's why we would like to recognize Kara as an extraordinary nurse who made an enormous difference in our life by the super-human work that she did for D.
It was evident that there was collaboration all throughout D's care. The overall collaborative approach proved to be just what D and our family needed. She is doing well and we attribute it to God and the awesome care given by the Critical Care staff at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washing Medical Center.