July 2022
Sierra
Gordon
,
RN
F4/6-General Surgery
UW Health
Madison
,
WI
United States
Knowing the risks for stroke, with this arrhythmia, I feel like Sierra has helped save my life, since Cardiology can now get involved, knowing what they’re dealing with.
I had a chance to get to know quite a few of the nurses on F4/6 during my 9-day stay. All the nurses were wonderful, supportive, compassionate, and helpful; but Sierra was extra-special. It was the night shift, and Sierra had gone out of her way to be sure I had everything I needed and was comfortable (always leaving with “just let me know if you need anything”. At about midnight, I woke up with heart palpitations, chest pain, and a racing heart. I called the front desk, and within seconds Sierra was there, checking my vitals, getting telemetry on, and being very calming and comforting, while contacting the EKG team, XR, and Cardiology, at the same time! Because of Sierra’s quick actions, EKG was finally able to document my arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation), something that has been elusive until now. I’ve been getting the episodes for a while now, but so short-lasting, that they could never be recorded. Knowing the risks for stroke, with this arrhythmia, I feel like Sierra has helped save my life, since Cardiology can now get involved, knowing what they’re dealing with. I can’t think of a more perfect example of the kind of nurse that exemplifies what we, as nurses, strive to be (I’m a retired RN)…compassionate, caring, supportive, knowledgeable…professional! Thank you. Sierra!