I have been hospitalized for a month with self-inflicted burns. While I am here, I am unable to care for myself as usual. I have unwanted facial hair (I am a woman) and it was driving me crazy. I was unable to use tweezers because they are sharp so my nurse, Christie offered to tweeze my chin and lip herself and she did!! To me, this was going above and beyond. She even offered to do my eyebrows. Also, she is very good at what she does. She absolutely embodies the CARE criteria for excellence in nursing.

She listened to my distress with her ears and heart and regarding my burns too. She has given me hope and is very positive. She has absolutely made a meaningful connection with me. I will never forget her!! She has served me and maintained trust and confidence doing the dressings and she regularly asks about my preferences.

I admire how she is not squeamish and comments on how my healing has progressed since the last time she saw my burns. Obviously, she has surpassed my expectations. She went above and beyond using my mother’s tweezers during a visit to attend to personal care. She made me feel comfortable as she would want to be treated.

It may seem small, but this experience has made me feel so much better. I feel like she gave me my dignity back. She provides extraordinary care. I hope she will be recognized for her outstanding work and dedication to her profession. Nurses don’t get better than this!!!