During my stay at Children’s Minneapolis, I had the privilege of having Jen as my overnight nurse. I have spent my entire life in and out of children’s hospitals, and only a handful of nurses have left such a lasting impact that I remember them to this day. Jen is one of those nurses.

During my five-day stay, I experienced pain that would come in waves. One night, around 2 or 3 a.m., the pain became overwhelming. My mom was asleep, and I didn’t want to wake her. Jen came into my room and stayed by my side the entire time until I was comfortable. She not only provided clinical care but also offered comfort, reassurance, and understanding when I needed it most.

What stood out to me was how intently Jen listened. My doctor often calls me “one in a million” because of my unique condition, which can cause confusion for others. But not for Jen. She never dismissed my concerns, even if what I said might not have made immediate sense. She respected my knowledge of my own body and worked with me to find what would help relieve my pain.

While pain medications don’t always work for me, Jen responded quickly to my suggestions and tried other interventions to ease my discomfort. Her compassion, attentiveness, and willingness to truly hear her patient made an enormous difference in my care. Nurses and doctors are experts in medicine, but patients are the experts of their own bodies, and Jen honored that balance beautifully.

I am currently pursuing my BSN, and Jen has become a role model for the kind of nurse I aspire to be. She showed me what it means to combine skill, empathy, and respect to create lasting impact. Because of her care, I left not only more comfortable but also more inspired.

 Jennifer K. Fausch, RN, exemplifies what nursing is all about - compassion, partnership, and making a difference in the lives of patients.