Mary Davidson
March 2024
Mary
Davidson
,
RN
NRSL CVICU
University of Arkansas for Medical Science
Little Rock
,
AR
United States
She again gave me encouraging words about my progress and ideas she had to make things better. As she talked to me, she started to rub my neck and scalp. She then asked me if I’d like for her to braid my hair.
I love the Wizard of Oz movie and I can relate my journey through UAMS during my surgery with the movie. The reason I wrote this is to honor Mary Davidson (the good nurse).
I started this journey in January 2023. The wizard I remember first is the doctor. He saw me in the Emergency Department and in the most confident way explained with all this bad news.
The surgery was performed and the next thing I knew I was waking up to see my family’s faces. The next few days were not at all fun or easy but was made better by Mary Davidson, the most exceptional angel nurse I have met. She came in the next morning after a rough night. She was very kind and reassuring about my complaints. While I told her, what I’m sure she had heard a thousand times, she listened and started to rub my neck and shoulders all the while speaking in such a calming voice.
She shared cute stories that kept my mind off my misery and talked with my RN daughter like they had been best friends. She encouraged me to get up out of bed and sit in the chair, and when the physical therapist came by, she helped me get everything ready for a stroll down the hall. She was so encouraging.
After another miserable night, I woke the next morning to see her sweet, smiling face. She again gave me encouraging words about my progress and ideas she had to make things better. As she talked to me, she started to rub my neck and scalp. She then asked me if I’d like for her to braid my hair. What a wonderful idea! I told her I had a comb and rubber bands with me, and she spent the next hour braiding my hair. What luxury! It felt so good and lasted until I got home.
I told her she should be teaching a compassion class. I know the nursing students get an excellent education but how do you teach them compassion? How would they know it’s all right to do extra things for their patients?
She’s not the last exceptional person I met because I meet more people every time I visit UAMS, but she is the absolutely most professional and compassionate nurse I have ever known.
During my journey, there was no wicked witch encountered and a couple of flying monkeys that tried to get in but were not allowed.
My stay at UAMS was only a week, but my ties to the UAMS outpatient clinic will continue for the rest of my life.
There are some truths from the movie that are exampled at UAMS.
One is “It’s not where you go but the people you meet along the way.”
But Dorthy was right about one thing. “There’s no place like home!”
I started this journey in January 2023. The wizard I remember first is the doctor. He saw me in the Emergency Department and in the most confident way explained with all this bad news.
The surgery was performed and the next thing I knew I was waking up to see my family’s faces. The next few days were not at all fun or easy but was made better by Mary Davidson, the most exceptional angel nurse I have met. She came in the next morning after a rough night. She was very kind and reassuring about my complaints. While I told her, what I’m sure she had heard a thousand times, she listened and started to rub my neck and shoulders all the while speaking in such a calming voice.
She shared cute stories that kept my mind off my misery and talked with my RN daughter like they had been best friends. She encouraged me to get up out of bed and sit in the chair, and when the physical therapist came by, she helped me get everything ready for a stroll down the hall. She was so encouraging.
After another miserable night, I woke the next morning to see her sweet, smiling face. She again gave me encouraging words about my progress and ideas she had to make things better. As she talked to me, she started to rub my neck and scalp. She then asked me if I’d like for her to braid my hair. What a wonderful idea! I told her I had a comb and rubber bands with me, and she spent the next hour braiding my hair. What luxury! It felt so good and lasted until I got home.
I told her she should be teaching a compassion class. I know the nursing students get an excellent education but how do you teach them compassion? How would they know it’s all right to do extra things for their patients?
She’s not the last exceptional person I met because I meet more people every time I visit UAMS, but she is the absolutely most professional and compassionate nurse I have ever known.
During my journey, there was no wicked witch encountered and a couple of flying monkeys that tried to get in but were not allowed.
My stay at UAMS was only a week, but my ties to the UAMS outpatient clinic will continue for the rest of my life.
There are some truths from the movie that are exampled at UAMS.
One is “It’s not where you go but the people you meet along the way.”
But Dorthy was right about one thing. “There’s no place like home!”