If anyone defines "Nurse", it is Maria Amparo Snell. I have been fortunate to be under her care for two days, and I am grateful she will be here upon my discharge tomorrow. I want no one else to care for me. I am a retired plastic surgeon (36-years in practice) so I know very well the workings of the hospital. Unfortunately, over the past several years I have had several medical problems requiring eight hospitalizations; so now I know intimately the role of "PROVIDER" and "RECIPIENT" of medical care as well.
The nurse who cares for you 24-hours a day can make your hospital stay heaven or hell, or anything in between. Maria made it her personal mission to make my stay a personal heaven. She is kind and compassionate beyond belief and every action is full of empathy and love. She makes you feel "Comfortable". She is an amazing person and to have all these qualities blended together is a rarity. She has chosen her profession well. She's the perfect example of what a nurse should be, and the perfect example of what every student of nursing should try to emulate.
A simple example; one morning I was sitting in a chair having breakfast. I am always cold, always wearing "layers at home", without a word she put a blanket over my shoulders. How did she know I was cold? I hadn't said a word. I wasn't shivering, I wasn't complaining in any way! INSTINCT!!! Somehow, she sensed that I was in some distress. Not much, but distress it was.
She has the rare capacity for compassion that few others have. Sutter hospital is so fortunate to have Maria as a nurse and I have been so fortunate to have her as my nurse for three days. She works so hard and it seems someone is always asking her for something. She takes it all in stride and despite all the demands made of her, she makes me feel special and caters to my every request, even anticipating what I may ask of her. She is truly an amazing woman and an outstanding nurse.