I was very fortunate to have met Mary Jo Conley the night I came into the ER at Hackensack University Medical Center. The incision I had from a recent surgery had opened and liquid was literally pouring out. I was very sick and very frightened, but I was lucky that Mary Jo was to take care of me. She explained to me that she was going to alter a collections bag to work for my incision. She is unbelievably resourceful, cutting openings on an existing collections bag to match the openings of my incision. Mary Jo, of course, was right; it worked perfectly! She came to see me every day with a cheerful greeting. She not only took care of the opened incision, she greatly eased my mind by giving me as much information as possible. She would explain everything she was doing and expressed so much concern and kindness that I looked forward to each of her visits.

Mary Jo took the time to write up step-by-step everything she did to care for the incision so that other nurses could follow what she had done in case of a problem if she was not available. She set up the instructions along with all the supplies needed so that any of the nurses could take care of a problem should it occur.

In my three-week stay in the hospital I was cared for by many very good nurses, and yet Mary Jo Conley still stood out as someone who continued to go the extra mile. When the time was getting closer to my discharge, Mary Jo was able to simplify the bandages and then taught both my husband and me how to change them. She very patiently went over everything with us, answering all our questions until we were totally comfortable. She helped us to leave the hospital with peace of mind.

Mary Jo made such a difference in my hospital stay, it was amazing. She is an excellent nurse who is extremely knowledgeable and provides extraordinary care.