My father is an 82-year-old man who spent two days in the hospital at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. From the moment he entered the building until the moment he left, the care and respect he received from each employee was amazing. He underwent surgery for hydrocephalus, implanting a shunt in his head. This is to help him improve his gait, and hopefully his memory. Having been an independent, strong-willed man his whole life, becoming dependent on others, and having his body fail him was difficult.

When we arrived on the neuro floor 5 South, he was greeted by Leo and Kim who would be his nurses for the afternoon and early evening. They took the time to get him settled in and then invited us into his room. With every request that he had, they responded quickly and with great patience. My father had been told that the main way to be discharged from the hospital was to prove that he could walk on his own with steady and purposeful steps. We explained this to Leo and Kim, and they encouraged him and educated him on the entire process.

Once he was settled in his room, Leo and Kim walked with him around the floor. Taking the time out of their busy day with all their other patients meant so much to him. He, along with all of us, could see that even a few hours after surgery, he was walking better than he had in years. Those few minutes spent showing him that his independence was in reach gave him such strength and empowerment. Having always been in control, it was really hard for him to get stuck in a bed, unable to get up with his own free will. Many times, he stated that he felt like a prisoner because of the bed alarm and all the cords he was hooked up to. Nevertheless, each time we hit the call light or open the door to ask for assistance, Kim, Leo, and Sarah would enter the room with a smile and encouraging words. They made him feel as if he was never a bother or in any way incapacitated. They encouraged him and guided him with each step.

Overnight, he was taken care of by Ashley and Ky. They too, were incredibly patient and caring for my father. Just as had been done on the dayshift, they entered the room with a smile and encouragement. He never felt as if pressing the call light was bothering them. Ky brought my mother sheets for her bed and extra pillows for my father. They kept them comfortable and content all night. The next morning, when my sister and I arrived, Leo and Kim greeted us with smiles. My father’s goal for the day was to be discharged so he could be home with his dog and in his own bed. Being that my father is not the most patient of men, he was agitated by the time it took to make the determination. Leo and Kim explained the process and the timing it would take to get him home.

Once he had been evaluated by the PT department as well as his surgeon, it was determined that he could be discharged. Sarah came in to see him, helped him get to the bathroom multiple times that morning, and gave him some very empathetic words. She was so kind and compassionate. Leo and Kim expedited his discharge, despite having multiple patients with issues that morning. It was truly the quickest discharge from the hospital I’ve ever experienced. They each shook his hand and wished him well, and Sarah brought him out to the car. I try very hard not to let anyone know that I am a nurse, because sometimes nurses feel intimidated, or as if they’re being watched. Having been a nurse for almost 30 years, I must say that these nurses on 5 south are some of the finest! My hope is that they continue to inspire patients as they inspired my dad. But more importantly, I hope they know that they do make a huge difference every day. Thank you to all of them and may God bless them.