Where does one begin to tell of an extraordinary nurse that exceeds all expectations? I have worked with Monica for around 20 years. Every day in the E.D. is a challenge. However, in critical moments, Monica has a strong presence for her patients, their families, and her co-workers. Monica has a great sense of pride and commitment to our Emergency Department. She displaysAurora's mission, vision, and values beautifully. Monica is highly attentive and attuned to what patients need, not just medically but emotionally as well.I have personally witnessed Monica be instrumental in many lives saved. I'd like to tell about Monica's dedication to my husband, a frequent patient in our Emergency Department, as well as on many inpatient units.
Our story begins in the fall a few years back, when my, my husband's, and our 2 children's lives changed forever! My husband became a complete C6 quadriplegic, meaning that he is now paralyzed from just the collar bone down. He has no hand grip, and is complete care.I stayed in the hospital with my husband for the first 6 weeks of his 3-month hospital stay. Before I even came back to work, I heard from another c-worker that Monica wanted to help us. Since my husband's injury, Monica not only cared for him in the E.D., but she has taken care of him at our house, when he's had a crisis, when I needed my hip replaced, and she's taken care of him every time that my kids and I went on a vacation or weekend escape. She would come over, clean him up, and Hoyer lift him out of bed and into his power wheelchair. Then, she'd give him his pills and breakfast, and set him up for the day. Also, she'd give him his nightly pills, Hoyer lift him into bed and clean him up if he'd had a bowel movement. She'd even give our diabetic dog insulin shots! Monica accepts no payment; She takes nursing to the highest level.
If Monica was a family member or a really good friend and helping us, it would be different. But Monica is a co-worker. That's what sets her apart from all other nurses.
Monica has also given compassion to us when we've felt totally frustrated, sad, and discouraged with our new life of caring for a completely dependent husband and father. Monica even makes my husband laugh, and we all know nothing helps depression more than laughter.
If all that wasn't enough, Monica also has worked some crazy shifts in the E.D. to help fill open hours, volunteers at the Hunger Task Force, and for JR's Pup-n-Stuff Dog Rescue. Monica has her own life, family, and struggles, yet she has touched, saved, and bettered so many lives! If anyone deserves a DAISY Award, she does. Thank you for this opportunity to tell of the most remarkable, professional, encouraging nurse that I know: Monica Cronce!