Susan is the most caring, compassionate nurse anyone could ever strive to be. She is dedicated to her job and her patients. My first encounter witnessing Susan and a patient, I was blown away. If you have ever seen Susan with a patient, you know exactly what I mean. Our patients are in a high anxiety situation and Susan talks to them in a calm caring voice. Instantly, our patients visibly relax when she begins to speak. She offers comfort to them when they most need it. Patients commonly speak about how Susan makes them feel like family and that she genuinely cares about them. A recent quote from a patient was that they "could not have made it through everything without her".
Our patients regularly stop by to see Susan as she develops long lasting relationships with them. One recent patient was really affected by Susan and her care. The patient was admittedly reclusive with no support system, and she was unfortunately diagnosed with breast cancer. Susan began to speak with her on a regular basis by calling her and asking her to stop in and see her. Susan's kindness to her was genuine and the patient recognized that. The patient says that Susan made her feel better and that having Susan in her life actually made her life better and she is having the best year of her life. This is not a typical thing we hear in the breast center from our women with breast cancer. For most this would be the worst year of their lives. Susan actually changed this woman's perspective on life and opened her up to the world. Susan encouraged her to speak to her family again and broaden her support system. The patient is now seen smiling on a regular basis and appears to be happy. Susan impacted a patient's life and not just her medical care through her ability to recognize the importance of the person. Susan could never be replaced for what she does for the patients. The breast center and our patients are so lucky to have her.
***
When I first started in the breast center I was so surprised by how much there is to know about the breast and breast cancer. Susan has personally mentored me, by answering all the thousands of questions I have had every day since starting, even when I am asking the same question again. She is always patient and kind. She and I are very different in many ways, but we have discovered how those differences work well together. She is always open to my ideas and supports me in any way she can. She is someone that gives to everyone.
Susan inspires me to be a better nurse every day and reminds me of why I wanted to be a nurse. Susan makes me want to come to work every day and work alongside her. I feel honored and grateful to get to work with her. Susan exemplifies what an extraordinary nurse really is.