Jessica Hoag
September 2021
Jessica
Hoag
,
RN
Emergency Department
Glens Falls Hospital
Glens Falls
,
NY
United States
Jess made us a team by using the word “let’s” and that made all the difference because I didn’t feel alone anymore.
I recently had the scariest day of my life. I fell sledding and knew instantly my back was broken. As a nurse, I was terrified. I knew my family wouldn’t be allowed in the ED and I would be alone and scared. That changed when Jess followed the stretcher into my room. I was trying so hard not to cry and Jess said, “It’s okay. You can cry. It hurts.” I told her I was scared, that I was a nurse, and was afraid my back was broken and I could never be a nurse again. She looked at me and said, “You will get through this and you will be a nurse again. Let’s take it one step at a time.” She made us a team by using the word “let’s” and that made all the difference because I didn’t feel alone anymore. There are no words to describe how grateful I am that Jess was my nurse that day. Her empathy, compassion, and caring are second to none. From one nurse to another: Thank you from the bottom of my heart.