Paula Barsness
December 2025
Paula
Barsness
,
RN, BSN
Surgical Services
Lake Region Healthcare
Fergus Falls
,
MN
United States
went in terrified that I was going to wake up during another procedure. My nurse was Paula Barsness. I could not have asked for a better nurse that day.
I had a colonoscopy in Fargo, North Dakota. It was a terrible experience. I was supposed to be sedated, and during the middle of the procedure, I woke up, and the doctor proceeded to continue to do the colonoscopy. He was not gentle at all. That was terrifying, and it did not feel good at all because of that. I ended up with an anal fissure, and the pain is traumatically painful.
I went to the surgeon thinking that it was just a monster hemorrhoid that I could have removed. The doctor said it sounds like an anal fissure. So, she examined me and verified that, yes, it was an anal fissure. I tried a compound medication to help get it to heal, but it was barely doing anything. No relief at all. So she recommended another doctor for Botox injections to help it improve more quickly. I saw the new Doctor and was scheduled for the procedure. I set up my appointment for same-day surgery.
I went in terrified that I was going to wake up during another procedure. My nurse was Paula Barsness. I could not have asked for a better nurse that day. My anxiety was high, and she helped me relax by talking me through everything that was going to happen. She was highly confident that I was not going to wake up during the procedure because they used a different medication. She did my IV, and usually nurses have trouble getting my IV in, and she hit it on the first spot. It was such a relief.
She was very caring and comforting, making sure I felt okay, making sure all my questions were answered, and making sure that I went into my procedure feeling at ease. I already have severe anxiety through mental health issues, and she was so kind and caring and soft spoken, which made my anxiety not high. After the procedure, she constantly checked on me made sure I was okay and not in any pain. She gave me crackers and water to drink and made sure that I was able to keep them down.
Her bedside manner was the best that I have ever had at Lake Region. If I could have her every time I went into Lake Region, I would definitely request her. She convinced me to come to Lake Region for my next colonoscopy. That is what I will do.
Thank you, Lake Region, for hiring someone like Paula. She is the best!
I went to the surgeon thinking that it was just a monster hemorrhoid that I could have removed. The doctor said it sounds like an anal fissure. So, she examined me and verified that, yes, it was an anal fissure. I tried a compound medication to help get it to heal, but it was barely doing anything. No relief at all. So she recommended another doctor for Botox injections to help it improve more quickly. I saw the new Doctor and was scheduled for the procedure. I set up my appointment for same-day surgery.
I went in terrified that I was going to wake up during another procedure. My nurse was Paula Barsness. I could not have asked for a better nurse that day. My anxiety was high, and she helped me relax by talking me through everything that was going to happen. She was highly confident that I was not going to wake up during the procedure because they used a different medication. She did my IV, and usually nurses have trouble getting my IV in, and she hit it on the first spot. It was such a relief.
She was very caring and comforting, making sure I felt okay, making sure all my questions were answered, and making sure that I went into my procedure feeling at ease. I already have severe anxiety through mental health issues, and she was so kind and caring and soft spoken, which made my anxiety not high. After the procedure, she constantly checked on me made sure I was okay and not in any pain. She gave me crackers and water to drink and made sure that I was able to keep them down.
Her bedside manner was the best that I have ever had at Lake Region. If I could have her every time I went into Lake Region, I would definitely request her. She convinced me to come to Lake Region for my next colonoscopy. That is what I will do.
Thank you, Lake Region, for hiring someone like Paula. She is the best!