April 2025
Alyssa
Santini
,
BSN, RN
CTICU
UPMC Presbyterian
Pittsburgh
,
PA
United States
She wrote beautiful goals on his board. She spoke in calm and soft tones. She made sure my dad was comfortable at all times-- whether it was positioning him or checking on his pain medication. She provided comfort measures to us, his family, all night.
My family and I would like to take the opportunity to recognize a special nurse who works in the CTICU at Presby. Her name is Alyssa, and she was my father's nurse on the last night of his life. My dad was transferred from UPMC Shadyside to Presby on a Saturday. The reason for the transfer was the hope that my dad would be a candidate for a TAVR procedure in the coming days. My dad's health was declining, but we were hopeful.
The following morning, my family and I met with the ICU team, who explained that my dad's situation was deteriorating and that his end was near. This was extremely difficult to process. During the course of that day, our entire family visited my dad to say their goodbyes, and the nurses were so understanding and accommodating. They checked in on us frequently and made sure that my dad was comfortable and that his medical needs were attended to at all times. His grandson needed to get home from Hawaii and his arrival wasn't going to be until the next day. Hence, the reason for the knowledge that my father would be here with us for one more night, and so we prayed. After a very long, sad, and emotional day, Alyssa came into his room and introduced herself as his nurse for the night. She wrote beautiful goals on his board. She spoke in calm and soft tones. She made sure my dad was comfortable at all times-- whether it was positioning him or checking on his pain medication. She provided comfort measures to us, his family, all night. She made sure that all meds were given in a confident manner, and no alarm or sudden sound was heard by any of us. We truly felt her compassion for our family, who were merely strangers to her. She made a difference!
When I think back on that night, as difficult as it was, she was the main reason we got through it. I am an older RN who is at the end of my career... I was so proud of her and her nursing abilities. We hugged and cried when she was ready to leave. Before going, she gently walked over to my sleeping father, laying her hands on him, saying, "It has been both an honor and a privilege taking care of you." We will never forget her kind spirit. Thank you, Alyssa and all of the staff, in the CTICU, you all were amazing, and your efforts did not go unnoticed. Our family is truly appreciative of all you did!
The following morning, my family and I met with the ICU team, who explained that my dad's situation was deteriorating and that his end was near. This was extremely difficult to process. During the course of that day, our entire family visited my dad to say their goodbyes, and the nurses were so understanding and accommodating. They checked in on us frequently and made sure that my dad was comfortable and that his medical needs were attended to at all times. His grandson needed to get home from Hawaii and his arrival wasn't going to be until the next day. Hence, the reason for the knowledge that my father would be here with us for one more night, and so we prayed. After a very long, sad, and emotional day, Alyssa came into his room and introduced herself as his nurse for the night. She wrote beautiful goals on his board. She spoke in calm and soft tones. She made sure my dad was comfortable at all times-- whether it was positioning him or checking on his pain medication. She provided comfort measures to us, his family, all night. She made sure that all meds were given in a confident manner, and no alarm or sudden sound was heard by any of us. We truly felt her compassion for our family, who were merely strangers to her. She made a difference!
When I think back on that night, as difficult as it was, she was the main reason we got through it. I am an older RN who is at the end of my career... I was so proud of her and her nursing abilities. We hugged and cried when she was ready to leave. Before going, she gently walked over to my sleeping father, laying her hands on him, saying, "It has been both an honor and a privilege taking care of you." We will never forget her kind spirit. Thank you, Alyssa and all of the staff, in the CTICU, you all were amazing, and your efforts did not go unnoticed. Our family is truly appreciative of all you did!