Mary Casey
May 2024
Mary
Casey
,
RN
Neuro ICU
Yale New Haven Hospital
New Haen
,
CT
United States
Mary often will go out of her way to buy her patients Gatorade or snacks late at night when the kitchen is closed, make teddy bear animals like cruise ships for younger patients to comfort, and take the most difficult assignments to alleviate the strain of the unit.
The other day I was shopping in HomeGoods and stumbled across this sign, I stood there for a moment and read it, “The definition of a nurse: To go above and beyond the call of duty. The first to work and the last to leave. The heart and soul of caring. Who will pass through your life for a minute and impact it for eternity. An empowered individual whom you may meet for only 12 hour period, but who will always put your and yours above theirs.” The first person that came to mind was Mary Casey. She is a night shift nurse in the Neuroscience ICU. She is a nurse both old and new should strive to be, the type of individual that would take the shirt off her back for you. Mary often will go out of her way to buy her patients Gatorade or snacks late at night when the kitchen is closed, make teddy bear animals like cruise ships for younger patients to comfort, and take the most difficult assignments to alleviate the strain of the unit.
Mary wears the hat of many different roles, she is a charge nurse, preceptor, clinical transition coach (CNTC). When assigned the charge role the unit is at ease, Mary is there to support her fellow peers jumping into action and providing support in emergencies. Two years ago, when the hospital introduced the CNTC role, Mary was one of the few selected by management in the Neuroscience ICU to represent the neurosurgical service line. Mary thrives in an educational role, there is no questions that go unanswered or problems she can’t find the solution to. Both orientees and floor nurses know her by name, and I like to joke with Mary and tell her she’s the mayor.
As I mentioned above, Mary is incredibly thoughtful and generous. She utilizes her own funds to buy her patients food and beverages when the kitchen is closed and purchases personal hygiene products that our unit does not supply for our patients and families. During our nightly baths, Mary provides “salon-like services” to her patients, which include face shaving and hair braiding. These small gestures may go unnoticed by most, but those who get to spend time with her can appreciate the selfless work she does.
Mary wears the hat of many different roles, she is a charge nurse, preceptor, clinical transition coach (CNTC). When assigned the charge role the unit is at ease, Mary is there to support her fellow peers jumping into action and providing support in emergencies. Two years ago, when the hospital introduced the CNTC role, Mary was one of the few selected by management in the Neuroscience ICU to represent the neurosurgical service line. Mary thrives in an educational role, there is no questions that go unanswered or problems she can’t find the solution to. Both orientees and floor nurses know her by name, and I like to joke with Mary and tell her she’s the mayor.
As I mentioned above, Mary is incredibly thoughtful and generous. She utilizes her own funds to buy her patients food and beverages when the kitchen is closed and purchases personal hygiene products that our unit does not supply for our patients and families. During our nightly baths, Mary provides “salon-like services” to her patients, which include face shaving and hair braiding. These small gestures may go unnoticed by most, but those who get to spend time with her can appreciate the selfless work she does.