When our father received his bone marrow transplant, we were hopeful that it was the final step to a leukemia-free life. Our hopefulness morphed into fear when he was transferred to Diamond 3W ICU with acute lung failure. We were introduced to Claudia who quickly became his advocate and his rock. She was patient with us and treated him as if he were her own dad. During his two month stay in the ICU, Claudia cared for him a couple more times and always checked on him, even when she wasn't his nurse. Seeing her face always lifted our spirits even on the worst days. Claudia was always a constant during this scary time. She was even there the day he started to pass away offering help to our overworked nurse.
On the day of my dad's memorial, as my family and I sat there grieving with tears, our eyes saw four beautiful ICU nurses walk in the door and Claudia was one of them. Claudia along with three other nurses were instrumental in my father's care and gave him the best life quality care possible. We are all so thankful for each nurse, tech, and advocate in the ICU he had. We will never forget any of them, especially our angel Claudia.
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I came to the BUMCT ED on a Friday morning a little after midnight after having food poisoning for the past 2 days. I was admitted to 3E around 5:00 in the morning and I spent Friday and Saturday recovering. Thankfully, I had a private room for what was going on with me.
Claudia was my day nurse on both days, and I want to share with you what a wonderful person and nurse she is. She just graduated from nursing school earlier this year. Her husband, an EMT at the mines, worked to put her through nursing school. They moved to Tucson with their two young children of whom she was clearly very proud, and she is now working while her husband is going to nursing school.
When Claudia started my intake, she stated that she was very nervous. When I asked her why, she said it was because of who I was (I work in the hospital). I told her to please not be nervous, that I was just a regular guy. Shen then stated that she was a good nurse and reassured me that she would take good care of me. I told her I knew she would and that I had faith in her.
Claudia is thoughtful in her approach, proactive in thinking about follow up tests, and diligent about asking the hospitalist questions regarding my care. She was very attentive and checked with me constantly to see if I was comfortable and if I needed anything for my stomach. For a nurse on the job for a mere 6 months, I was amazed at her poise and composure.
When T, who also works at the hospital, stopped by to talk to me about some work, Claudia came in to change my fluid bag. I shared with T the story I am telling you about Claudia, and of course, she turned a little red. T asked her about her experience at BUMC-T and about her husband going to nursing school. After T left, Claudia came back, smiled, and teased, "thank you for making my face turn red! It's not bad enough that it's you but now the CEO?" I told her she needed to be recognized for the amazing job she is doing! She said, "I will see you tomorrow" and handed me off to my night nurse.
Claudia came back the next morning and I smiled, "So, you came back and did not give me to someone else." She replied, "You are intimidating." "Really?" I asked. "No," she admitted, "you are an amazingly nice guy. It's your title. You're so nice, though, that I get past your title."
"But that T thing," she continued, "I told my husband and he asked if my face turned red, so I had to tell him that of course, it did." I again stated that she was a very well prepared nurse and should be recognized for her work and as a role model for others.
When the doc cleared me for discharge, even though the discharge notes were printed, she wrote specific notes on key things she wanted to point out to me. She took the time to use alcohol swabs so the tape from the ED wouldn't pull out my hair when she removed it. Once it was all over, she shook my hand and stated she hoped I would feel better soon. I responded with a hug and said, "Thank you for taking care of me."
Claudia embodies our mission to make a difference in people's lives through excellent patient care. While I was very impressed with all the nurses and doctors from whom I received care, Claudia especially made an impact on me.