This is to recognize a very special nurse who has proven to embody the very spirit of nursing. This nurse demonstrated compassion, caring, selfless efforts and character far above the bar.
A patient had an emergency cardiac surgery. The patient has been married for nearly 55 years and is rarely not by his wife's side. His wife is a retired grade one teacher. Years ago, this teacher had a student named Sarah Gordon. The wife and retired teacher was terrified and confused when her husband was whisked away in an ambulance then to surgery so quickly and unexpectedly. She was at the hospital far from home and the staff very kindly made arrangements for her to stay at the adjoining hotel. Nearing her mid-seventies, her mind is sometimes not as clear as others. She told the staff she understood what was going on and how to get to her room, but she didn't. Sarah Gordon (now Sarah Brown) was working that day. She recognized what was happening. When Sarah finished her shift, she did not leave. She stayed, helped the patient's wife gather her things, walked her to the adjoining hotel, got her checked and settled into her room. Sarah made certain she was okay before she left for the evening. She treated the patient's wife and retired teacher gently, respectfully, carefully and patiently.
The patient and his wife are my parents. When this was happening, I was headed to Maine from Alaska. The time it took was agonizing. It is such a helpless and awful feeling. On a layover, I'll never forget the confidence and calmness my mother had when she said, "I was in a fog and wasn't sure what I was going to do but Sarah was there. She made sure things were all set and took care of me. She is such a sweet girl. She always has been. She wasn't even working anymore but she stayed and helped me." As cliché it may sound, it is true; the world needs more people like Sarah Brown. She is truly an asset to the nursing profession and a true DAISY Nurse. Thank you, Sarah!!