As a patient it's always interesting to see who your new nurse is at change of shift, it's like a surprise. As patients, we know shift change is 7 am and 7 pm, and it gives me something to look forward to. Jayme always comes in with a smile on her face, and a positive attitude. Before she writes her name on the board she already knows my plan of the day, what she wants to accomplish. We work together to accomplish my goals, but I know they are really her goals and she is pushing me all the time, which I need. She and I make a plan, I keep it simple but she pushes me more and more every day. Nothing gets away from her and I mean nothing, she provides stellar nursing care. I so enjoy watching her interact with my doctors. Again she knows what she needs and does not stop pushing the doctors until they understand her request or reasoning, she does this in the room so I can see how she is advocating for me and my care with respect but also insistence, a dog with a bone. We as patients like to see that because sometimes people just don't listen, but they sure do listen to her, she demands respect and is so passionate about her patients.
Nurses need to be positive because as patients we need it and she does this so well. We battle our fear every day. She knows how to lift my spirits, and understands my humor. She took the time to get to know me and my humor. Her personality is very similar to mine, dry and to the point but pleasant and forward. I respect that. Most people don't get me, she does. She takes me for who I am and does not judge me, she works with me to get me to another day. She stops in to check in even when I'm not her patient, only if time allowed and she wasn't too busy, that helps build my spirits, someone cares, and I'm not forgotten in the system. She remembers stories and facts about my life from previous admissions and asks about my family with genuine interest. Many staff just see a disease process, she sees a man who needs support along the way. She does it with such caring compassion care because her values are high but strong. I know she does it with all her patients. When I walk around the unit I don't see her sitting, I see her laughing and pushing other patients, that puts a smile on my face and as I'm walking away I say to myself, there she goes again, they are in for it. She seems to know what I need before I even do. Every time that she is my nurse she goes out of her way to make sure all my needs are met, questions answered, including those from my visitors, even over Zoom. She takes the extra time to connect with her patients and families and is truly interested in our lives outside of the hospital. She deserves to be recognized for the exemplary care she provides to her patients and families. Thank you, Jayme!