Joseph Meister
June 2021
Joseph
Meister
,
RN
Emergency Services
UW Health University Hospital
Madison
,
WI
United States
I felt so helpless, but I knew my dad was in good hands with Joe.
Both of my parents were in an MVA and brought to UWHC ED by Medflight. I work at UW but happened to be home with COVID at the time. When I called to get some information, I was able to speak with my mother briefly before she went to the OR. While I greatly appreciated hearing her voice, she was in quite a bit of pain and disoriented, so she was not able to give me many details on her injuries. The Trauma Resident called and started to give me some details, but another trauma came in, and I was told I would get a call back. If anyone is ever in this position, minutes seem like hours.
As a nurse, I definitely understand that patient care is a priority, but I also wasn’t just a nurse at the time. I was a daughter, and it was terrifying. I called after a while and was able to speak with Joe, my father’s nurse. It sounded like a hectic shift in the ED (of course), but he took the time and walked me through my father’s injuries. While it was a long list, I felt some reassurance. While there still were quite a few unknowns, the picture was a little clearer for me and lessened my anxiety slightly. I can’t express how much I needed that though. I felt so helpless, but I knew my dad was in good hands with Joe. Both my parents have said how hard it would be to pick just one nurse to nominate because they had so many amazing caregivers during their stay. Joe sticks out for me. I remember feeling like I could breathe a little easier after that phone call, and my family is forever grateful for his care.
As a nurse, I definitely understand that patient care is a priority, but I also wasn’t just a nurse at the time. I was a daughter, and it was terrifying. I called after a while and was able to speak with Joe, my father’s nurse. It sounded like a hectic shift in the ED (of course), but he took the time and walked me through my father’s injuries. While it was a long list, I felt some reassurance. While there still were quite a few unknowns, the picture was a little clearer for me and lessened my anxiety slightly. I can’t express how much I needed that though. I felt so helpless, but I knew my dad was in good hands with Joe. Both my parents have said how hard it would be to pick just one nurse to nominate because they had so many amazing caregivers during their stay. Joe sticks out for me. I remember feeling like I could breathe a little easier after that phone call, and my family is forever grateful for his care.