You know a nurse is special to a patient and their family when you hate to see her shift end and can't wait for the next morning when she returns! Compassionate and skillful does not begin to describe this nurse. My mother's stay began with a broken leg during a week of hospital "lockdown" and after some of the worse damage, the hospital has ever seen from a hurricane. Most employees had worked long, gruesome hours and she was one of them. Her face did not show anger, frustration, tiredness or dismay. Rather, she smiled laughed, encouraged and showed kindness during a very stressful time for staff and patients.
I stood witness to a nurse who cared for the elderly as if they were a member of her own family. She listened even though the same story was told to her ten times, she acted as if it was the first time she heard it. She explained medications and patient care in a way that most anyone could understand even if you had never stepped foot in a hospital. She was a gentle, kind soul even when watching a patient in so much pain. She told stories to distract them and spent time comforting before she left the room. Time didn't matter to this nurse. Care and healing did! These examples did not just happen in the room as I sat with my mother. I witnessed this from her as I walked up and down the hallway. I could hear her in other patients' rooms as she treated them just like she did my mother. Through difficult times, she kept her composure. She passed out smiles, shared her concerns and showed empathy to all patients she encountered as if it was the first time she walked in the room.
Having the skills to become a nurse is something most can learn from a textbook or a good teacher. With practice, one can become an expert. Having the passion to become a nurse and share your smile, wisdom, hope, and enthusiasm for patients and their care with EVERY patient is what makes a nurse an EXTRAORDINARY Nurse.
She is most skillful and compassionate, but above all, she stands out among our nurses. She pays attention to her patients' needs. She listens and carries out a plan for them because she CARES for them. She cares from within her heart and not just from the outside. What I liked best about this nurse is over the course of three twelve hour shifts, her demeanor never changed. She came in as if it was her first shift of the week every day! Her professionalism and excellence in nursing and patient care was evident in her voice, body language, and work ethic. I was lucky she cared for my mother. But most importantly, so were many other CHC patients who had her as their nurse. She is a true picture of Carteret Health care - Compassion runs deep in her. Jessica, thank you for being an Extraordinary Nurse!