I was in for a migraine; my first ever time in the ER. I'm not an easy poke for an IV. After 5 attempts, over 2 hours with no medications, and my headache increasingly getting worse, I expected an anesthesiologist to come down and take care of my IV (which is what has always happened in the past when I needed an IV for various things).
Nurse Sara came in and I saw her name badge "RN" and I immediately got angry. I yelled at her and told her I was leaving. I could not take any more poking, prodding, and my headache was so bad all I could do was cry. I was very mean to her, and her response was perfect. She remained calm, asked me to please give her a chance, and even after I said no way, she was still very professional. She asked again. She offered some suggestions and I was crying the whole time. She then asked again if she could try and I said one time. She then stayed with me as I had a massive panic attack and worked me through it. She was very kind, patient, and professional. And, not only that, she got the IV in one attempt, just as she said she would!
Professionalism is often hard to come by, and so is professional communication skills and this girl nailed them both. I think she needs to be recognized for her professionalism, and more importantly professional communication skills. Sara handled it flawlessly.
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Sara was taking care of a trauma patient today and when he was discharged he had no transportation back to Wausau. Sara spent about 20-30 minutes on the phone trying to find transportation back to Wausau for this gentleman who was also struggling with MS. Sara was also attempting to find financial aid to cover the cost of All American Taxi by contacting the VA and his insurance. In the end, Sara covered the remainder of the cost out of her own pocket. I am very proud of the selfless act on her part to see that this man could get back to his home in Wausau as his fiancée was taken by ambulance to Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital.