I just wanted to take a moment to give a shout-out to TWO very exceptional RNs that provided care for my dad during his stay; Mackenzie and Ella - both work on the Medical Surgical floor at Sutter Davis Hospital. The level of care and compassion they showed for my father, myself, my mom, and my brother when my dad was in their care was far beyond what is taught in nursing school. It is a true testament to why I feel people should become nurses. Their professionalism, care, and genuine concern touched my heart and soul. My dad referred to them as “the nicest nurses he’s ever had”. They came when he called (without making him feel like it was an inconvenience), got him warm blankets when he said he was cold, let him rest when he asked because he was getting very poor sleep, and spoke to him in a manner he could understand. They were literally smiling through their masks and with just the expression in their eyes, my dad could feel their kindness and appreciated it very much. You see, he is from an era when men were men and they worked and provided for their families and that was their identity. Since he has become older, things make him feel like he is not a man anymore. Mackenzie and Ella did not make him feel embarrassed or ashamed. They just cared for him compassionately as if they were caring for one of their own family members.

On Thursday, I was very worried because my dad was in such a deep sleep just not being able to get the proper rest since he’d been admitted. Ella took all his vitals and checked his blood sugar, and assured me that he was just pooped out. She even showed me how to get a response out of him so I could see that he was okay. Even after that, I was still very nervous because I had never seen my dad in such a deep sleep that he couldn’t be woken up. Later that evening before ending her shift, I receive a call from Ella just letting me know that my dad was awake, sitting in the chair, eating. I was so relieved. That call came straight from her heart. I didn’t ask her to do it, she just did it because she knew how worried I was.

These two nurses are exceptional human beings first and Nurses second. Like I say in my quote below: Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. My dad is not deaf or blind, but kindness radiates when it comes from the heart of an exceptional human being. THANK YOU Mackenzie and Ella for making my dad’s not-so-pleasant stay much more pleasant because you truly cared.