I wanted to share my recent experience as a patient at Regional Health with you. Recently I had surgery due to an injury. Even though I am a nurse, the process and thought of surgery caused some trepidation. All caregivers involved in my care that I interacted with were awesome, welcoming, positive, smiling, compassionate, and kind. However, one truly stood out. His name is John Cina, RN and he was my recovery nurse. As a surgery patient, my recovery in the past has been rocky due to overwhelming nausea, and unfortunately, this occurred again. As I was arousing, I heard John's voice. His tone was reassuring and soothing. John demonstrated compassion and kindness as he was working so hard to alleviate my discomfort. He also explained what medication he was giving me and how it would help. This further instilled trust and made me feel safe and cared for. John put his hand on my shoulder providing reassurance that I would feel better. John also was my advocate, keeping me where I was until my nausea and pain subsided to prevent further discomfort with movement. Truth be told, this blew me away!!! The other caregivers also assisted, hearing their support and collaboration with John enhanced my experience even more by being surrounded by such kind and caring humans! John truly embodies the art of nursing, his genuine nature, compassion, sincerity, integrity, passion, and care truly made a difference to me. I will always hold John in the highest regard for his clinical expertise and practice! He embodies nursing excellence and will always be my DAISY!
***
This is a long-overdue submission for this particular nurse. I was first introduced to John when I was admitted for surgery at the Ortho Hospital. I wasn't super nervous but with any surgery, there is a level of anxiousness; well, we got talking and before I knew it, he made me feel like we had been friends, he understood what I was going through and he helped me and my mother feel extremely comfortable with the process. As a patient, when your nurse is telling you step by step, introducing you to your other care team members, explaining medications and why they are doing this or that... it means the absolute world. He was such a calming factor I didn't know I needed. When I came out of surgery, he had some spare time and actually was there when I woke up! To see a familiar, kind face - especially when you are groggy, in pain, and uncertain it was SO reassuring!
Fast forward about 4 months later, I had to go back in for a second surgery to do some clean-up. When they asked if there was anyone I liked and before she finished asking the question, I asked IS JOHN WORKING?! HIM! He's my nurse!
Once again, he was my pre-op nurse. This time, I was more nervous and fearful since I didn't know what the surgery was going to bring this go around or how in-depth it may turn out to be. Well, once again, he was there, happy as can be to help me, remembered my case from months before (it was an odd story), and yet again gave me complete and utter peace! He walked me through everything again, talked to me about my upcoming wedding and plans. It was beyond reassuring to know he was going to be there for me again - to be quite honest - it was reassuring that it was almost my whole same team I had before.
John went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable, at ease with the process and to talk me through the ongoing of prepping.
Round 2 of surgery has been a major success and I am continuing to heal, but when I think about everything leading up to surgery - it is John that stands out in my care, and just as before, while he didn't stay long, he was there when I woke up. I really thank John for his service and care and what an amazing difference it made!
***
I woke up from surgery in terrible pain in a non-surgical area. John was not only amazingly kind and compassionate, but he moved very quickly to order an x-ray and administer pain medication to comfort me. I was afraid and in pain and John was very kind to me. He is fantastic.