Kirsten's clinical skills and her compassionate care exemplify the kind of nurse that our patients, their families, and our staff recognize as an outstanding role model.
Within the past year, I've been able to spend more time in the General Surgery practice with Kirsten. I have come to see a side of Kirsten that illuminates the caring, intelligent, and compassionate nurse that she is. I have seen her hug her patients, comfort them, hold their hands and even make sure they get to their cars okay. I've heard her call patients at home just to check on them and make sure they are okay and have everything they need while going through a difficult time.
One day while working with Kirsten she pulled a wooden rose from a cabinet. I asked her what she was doing. She replied, "the patient that I was just in with got her pathology results back and she is cancer-free. I always try to give a rose to the patients who receive good or bad news about their pathology. It makes them feel better and lets them know someone is thinking about them."
The patients love her. When they come back or call, they always ask for her. Kirsten takes the time with all her patients. She makes sure they have what they need. She doesn't leave at night until she knows that she has done everything she can for the patient. Kirsten is a one-of-a-kind nurse and is exactly what this award represents. God has blessed her with a huge heart and the perfect career for it.