The complex needs of the 11W transplant and medical/surgical patient never deters Mary RN from continually providing them with the utmost sensitive and competent nursing care. To Mary, nursing isn’t work at all, but it is rather a calling. Her desire to heal both body and mind dictate her nursing practice and keeps her a motivated patient advocate. Her belief that every human being has inherent worth drives Mary to treat her patients as she would her own family. She recalled caring for an African American woman who experienced segregation in the 60s. She looked quizzically at Mary and asked her why she was being so kind, as this patient had experienced so much injustice and cruelty in her own life. She was witness to Mary’s genuine acceptance and care, which is abundant in all her interactions. Compliments such as these are not rare for Mary, for she connects with her patients on a deeper level. Mary, motivated by her faith and belief that we are all equal members of a world family and that we all
Mary takes care of her patients, and she takes care of her own. When a fellow co-worker has experienced a major life event, such as the birth of a baby or the unfortunate passing of a loved one, Mary happily gives her vacation time to whoever is in need. Mary doesn’t see the need to fuss, for giving to her coworkers is actually a gift for her and is honored to help. When we all “feel better, we heal better.” She does good for goodness sake and “does the right thing when no one is looking.”
She was the oldest of 9 children and was a natural caregiver, earning the name “Mama” given to her by her younger sister. By simply looking out for others, checking in frequently on her patients, bringing the interdisciplinary team together to coordinate care, and proactively solving problems, she has earned the respect of some very challenging patients. One patient comes to mind. He was extremely angry and verbally abusive to staff. He was at risk for skin breakdown and this concerned Mary. She had a very expensive wheelchair cushion at home that belonged to her father, who had just passed on. Through phone calls and coordination, Mary was able to get that cushion for Jason. She smiled when she recalled how much softer his demeanor had become, obviously moved by the dignity bestowed upon him.
Many patients, who may be experiencing a very difficult time personally, benefit from her kindness and capable hand. She took care of a man who was without a permanent residence, and suffered from skin ulcers on his legs from being persistently incontinent and without proper washing or laundering facilities. Without questioning or delay, Mary took his clothes home with her and washed them so that he could be discharged with clean clothes. When asked what motivated her to do this, she replied, “The question wasn’t how could I, but rather, how could I not do it?” She believes that true kindness lay in one’s actions. Mary will assemble a team of healthcare professionals and will advocate for their every need, bringing those together to find a common ground. Whether she prays with a patient who is dying, using her mother’s rosary from Medjugorie, to simply addressing the patient with dignity, she comforts all who she comes in contact with.
Mary, who asks for so little, is truly deserving of the Daisy award, which would acknowledge all that she stands for. But for nothing else, she embodies the purest form of the definition of “nurse”. We have learned so much from Mary and she has raised the bar for nursing standards and professionalism. So many have lost their faith in mankind or the motivation of people and I am honored to be a member of her team and her subtle and gentle reminders of what this work is all about-healing.