nurses who touch the heart

[lpnstudentin2010, LPN]

Nurses who have touched me deeper then words can say

Dotty - RN in my plastic (reconstructive) surgeons office. Has been there since I was with my last surgeon. Looks out for me. Keeps me, and the surgeon sane. When I go, and my mother is not with me, if we are discussing possible surgery she is right there with me, asking the questions I do not think to ask but should be. Comforts me when I am sad. Was the first office nurse my mother would allow to remove my surgical stitches.

Stephanie - another RN in my plastic (reconstructive) surgeons office. Met me on a day with an in office procedure, where I completely (at the age of 21) flipped out. Kept me calm, held my hand. When I saw her after that and was embarrassed over what had happened, made me feel better. Was always able to make me laugh, was a truly amazing nurse.

Colleen - OR nurse. I had not had surgery in 5 years, and was REALLY scared, but was trying to be this big brave person and would not admit it. Colleen was there with me in pre-op. she took my hand, "Don't worry I will be there with you the whole time" and smiled at me. Then they wheeled me into the OR. She was, she held my hand, stroking it, while I drifted off to slumber land. A couple of surgeries later, her daughter was also in surgery. She had been in there, came out to see her husband. After telling her husband how their daughter was saw me sitting there. Even in her own time of stress she would not allow me to just sit there. She came over to me to see how I was doing. Even in her time of concern for her daughter she took the time to show concern for me. I will never forget her.

Jess - a nursing student, starting this September. Has been with my surgeon (as an assistant) since I started with the current on when I was 17. Has always been there and had a cheerful disposition. Takes the time to listen to me, and hear what I have to say. Made me feel like I mattered even though I was just one more of the surgeons many many many patients. She is leaving his office now, and will be sorely missed. Hopefully our paths will meet again someday.

The floor nurse, and new nurse she was precepting. I do not remember their names. Took the time to care about me. When they found out that I had called for them a long time prior for help to the bathroom, causing a problem, they got very upset to not have been told. They took to checking on me hourly. They did everything for me. The things that the assistants normally did, they did. They took amazing care of me that shift.

There are so many others, but these are the few that I think of when I think of caring nurses. Nurses who became nurses because they wanted to help, not just because it was a job, or for the money, or to meet a doctor to marry. They really want to help people and have made a huge impact on me.

[lpnstudentin2010, LPN]

I wrote this as a thank you to all nurses. These are the traits I see in my nurses and really appreciate, just that little bit of kindness from someone who doesnt know you means so much when you are in your vulnerable state.