I arrived at Northwell in severe pain in my left leg. I wasn’t able to walk, stand, or pivot in bed without extreme pain. Screaming in agony throughout my stay at the hospital. Not only was my injury extremely painful, but it also took my pride, dignity, and independence. I was admitted to 4L, and then this extraordinary nurse, Alex, came in. She helped me overcome not just the excruciating pain but the mental breakdown from it. Alex made sure she was always there when I needed her, which was remarkable because she balanced being there for other patients with being there for me so well. Alex showed empathy for me, with no judgment and an overwhelming amount of support. Alex advocated for me when there were times I couldn’t speak because of the extreme pain I was in. This experience was downgrading for me because I’m a woman who has taken care of my friends, family, and strangers my whole life. So for that to change suddenly to the point where I’m the one who has to call on a bell for a person to wipe me down after having to use the bathroom, to bathe me, to help prepare food for me, to help me drink fluids, to help me shift in the bed, basically to help me to doing everything that I did on my own before this incident and for the work I did with working with people my whole life.

My mental health took a shift for the worse because I’m embarrassed, lack of confidence in myself, lack of hope, etc. But Alex made me feel less embarrassed with her kind words as we talked. Alex gave me confidence in myself to do little things, and with all the supportive words shared.​ Alex gave me back my hope, which was most important, because I couldn’t see or imagine better days. Alex nursed me when I was at the lowest point of my life. I’m beyond grateful for her as my nurse, because I don’t think I would have gone through the process of my injury in the hospital any better. I haven’t met many nurses like her. She is in the top 1 of 3.​ Alex is the most attentive, empathetic, compassionate, and integrity-nursing person I have ever met. I have so much to express, but that would be too overwhelming for this form. I just want to say I’m beyond grateful for this nurse during my hospital stay.