June 2023
Brendan
Gunde
,
BSN, RN
Level 6- Surgical
Children's Hospital Colorado
Aurora
,
CO
United States
I could see her whole body relax when he would come in to help her reposition. She trusted him and knew he would take care of her.
My daughter arrived at Children's Hospital feeling so scared, anxious, and defeated. She had broken her fibula and tibia and found out she was asymptomatic with Covid. Brendan was the first hospital staff member we saw that morning and I immediately knew we were in good hands. Not only did he reassure my daughter, but he also reassured me. He talked us through what the next few hours would be like. He was always making sure my daughter was as comfortable as she could be waiting for surgery. He went above and beyond caring for us. The extra steps he needed to follow because of COVID never deterred him from checking in on her even if it was for a minute visit. Brendan quickly realized that my daughter was having issues with anxiety (something she struggles with day to day) and changed the way he would talk and care for her. He knew she needed extra reassurance. He knew she needed to be told extra details about what they were going to do before doing them. He was so positive and gentle. He was a wizard of distraction. I could see her whole body relax when he would come in to help her reposition. She trusted him and knew he would take care of her. We were so fortunate to have Brendan as our nurse for 3 mornings. In such a short time he became more like a friend to us than a staff member. We were in isolation so when Brendan would come in for meds or to help reposition her it was like we had a visitor. We talked about vacations and favorite foods. He had my daughter laughing. When it was time to go home, Brendan brought my daughter down to help her get into the car. He was reassuring her till we drove away. Brendan is an exceptional nurse who made us feel like we were the only ones he was caring for. He was very compassionate, energetic, and full of positivity. The extraordinary nursing care provided by Brendan helped my daughter overcome her anxiety and set her up for a full recovery.