I have had the pleasure of working alongside Bertha as a bedside RN and now as a PCC RN. It has always been an incredible and educational experience to be her coworker. Learning and working with Bertha has made me a stronger nurse and recently I had the ultimate experience of having Bertha care for my mother who was admitted for a hip fracture.
Bertha took my mother in her "group" 3 days in a row and provided continuity in care with my mother, she provided care that we have yet to experience in her many hospitalizations over this past year. She listened to my mother's needs and was an incredible advocate for her to the many physicians assisting with her care from surgery to HBS. Bertha checked in with not only my mother but myself and my sisters constantly to make us all feel that my mother was safe, cared for and in the best hands possible. She educated my family members when I was not available to do so, on what the plan of care would be as well as what would be the best plan for her to continue to progress upon discharge. It is an interesting experience to be on the "other side" of the bed and witness care as a patient's family as opposed to being the nurse providing care, but Bertha made that transition easy and comfortable. She made not only my mother, but my entire family feel safe, heard and cared for. I have always held the utmost respect for Bertha as a coworker and now I hold that same respect in her as a caregiver. She is an excellent nurse, human being and employee and I am proud to work alongside her every day. We are very lucky to have Bertha as one of our own at Kaiser! She is a true DAISY Nurse.