Damali Harrigan
May 2021
Damali
Harrigan
,
BSN, RN, CRNI
Private Diagnostic Clinic
Duke University Health System
Durham
,
NC
United States
I’ve always known I’m in good hands when Damali is my nurse for my clinic visit.
Damali is one of the most patient, kind, and skilled infusion nurses I’ve ever had care for me. I receive treatment every 8 weeks and there’s usually difficulty accessing my veins, leading to multiple sticks. I’ve been dealing with my illness for 13 years and endured countless IVs and blood draws that often go wrong, but for the past 2 years I’ve always known I’m in good hands when Damali is my nurse for my clinic visit. She takes her time and rarely misses, and for an infusion nurse, this is an invaluable skill set - at least from a patient’s point of view! For the last few months, I was concerned about the progression of my disease and the probability of me having to get a port for future access. Damali took the time to explain to me which areas/veins are still the healthiest, the importance of rotating the insertion site each visit if possible and encouraged me to advocate and speak up for myself if I am uncomfortable or have concerns about anyone sticking me. By Damali being truly skilled, along with simply taking a little extra time to find the best vein possible while many others just go with the first thing they see, she’s spared me much unnecessary discomfort. She has also put my mind more at ease that the frequent complications I experience with IV sticks could have less to do with my body, and more to do with the skill level of the person performing it - and hers is unmatched! This along with her sweet demeanor and kind-hearted spirit truly makes her an amazing nurse.