Halle Rowland
April 2024
Halle
Rowland
,
BSN, RN
Pediatric Emergency Department
Wellstar MCG Health
Augusta
,
GA
United States
Halle quickly became my favorite person on that floor. She was quiet when she came in the night, brought me plenty of popsicles, and made me feel safe and in control when life was out of control.
On my path to recovery (from metatarsal coalition), I became very sick and was rushed to the emergency room. The doctors informed my family that I had (an infection) running through my body and that emergency surgery was the best option to save my foot. While in the hospital, I had a nurse named Halle. Halle quickly became my favorite person on that floor. She was quiet when she came in the night, brought me plenty of popsicles, and made me feel safe and in control when life was out of control. Halle walked me through my almost two-month recovery and what life was going to look like. After that, life moved on, but I never forgot Halle.
I had another surgery in hopes of relieving the chronic pain that the infection had left me with. However, those two little incisions once again became infected, and I was back in emergency surgery at square one. My mom and I sat in the emergency room full of dread, being asked a highly familiar question, “Have you eaten today?” The room was heavy as my mom made phone calls, and we both tried to accept our reality. That was until Halle walked in. My mom's, and my eyes welled quickly as we recalled the joy that Halle once brought us. She didn’t even work the day shift; she had just picked up an extra shift and saw my name on the intake board. The familiar face brought a sense of peace over both of us. Halle went beyond patient care and what was expected of her as a caretaker.
Throughout this year, I have taken time to notice when someone reminded me of Halle – when someone went out of their way to do something that represented love. I felt the love when someone took the time to make sure I had somewhere to sit at lunch. I felt the love when working a basketball game and one of the players came over to make sure I got a hug. So, how can each of us continue to be more like Halle? Be intentional. It’s much easier to be unintentional but much harder to be intentional. Invite a friend to hang out, give a hug, or just offer small words of encouragement.
Lastly, my biggest takeaway from these three years is the importance of the servant mind. Be the first to give up your seat, the first to offer an ear to listen, and the first to serve others. Meet everyone where they are, take a seat at the table, and get to know them for who they are.
I had another surgery in hopes of relieving the chronic pain that the infection had left me with. However, those two little incisions once again became infected, and I was back in emergency surgery at square one. My mom and I sat in the emergency room full of dread, being asked a highly familiar question, “Have you eaten today?” The room was heavy as my mom made phone calls, and we both tried to accept our reality. That was until Halle walked in. My mom's, and my eyes welled quickly as we recalled the joy that Halle once brought us. She didn’t even work the day shift; she had just picked up an extra shift and saw my name on the intake board. The familiar face brought a sense of peace over both of us. Halle went beyond patient care and what was expected of her as a caretaker.
Throughout this year, I have taken time to notice when someone reminded me of Halle – when someone went out of their way to do something that represented love. I felt the love when someone took the time to make sure I had somewhere to sit at lunch. I felt the love when working a basketball game and one of the players came over to make sure I got a hug. So, how can each of us continue to be more like Halle? Be intentional. It’s much easier to be unintentional but much harder to be intentional. Invite a friend to hang out, give a hug, or just offer small words of encouragement.
Lastly, my biggest takeaway from these three years is the importance of the servant mind. Be the first to give up your seat, the first to offer an ear to listen, and the first to serve others. Meet everyone where they are, take a seat at the table, and get to know them for who they are.