Maureen Burke
March 2023
Maureen
Burke
,
RN, CEN, ADN
Emergency Department
Parkridge Medical Center, Inc.
Chattanooga
,
TN
United States

 

 

 

I have watched Nina care for a different variety of people and her compassion is evident from that first hello.
I have been a nurse in the emergency department for a total of 22 years, and I have been blessed over the years to meet some amazing nurses. Maureen (well we call her Nina) is one of them. I think one of the most rewarding aspects of a career in nursing is the ability to connect with our patients on such an intimate level. While we often meet under very difficult circumstances—being present as people face serious health challenges or injuries, witnessing the moment of birth or the end of life—we get to know our patients very quickly and have the opportunity to play an important role in their lives. I have watched Nina care for a different variety of people and her compassion is evident from that first hello. Be it a homeless nasty person from the street to the most arrogant wealthy person her care is the same. Her compassion is contagious! For some, coming to the emergency department can be one of the worst days of their lives but being loved on from that the first hello puts patients at ease. They gain trust and admiration from that first impression. Nina is an Extraordinary Nurse. No matter how long it has been, a patient remembers their nurse. They may or may not remember the nurse’s name, but they remember if they were kind and compassionate. Nina is the nurse that will be remembered. Thank you for considering her for such an amazing award. She deserves it!