April 2017
Nikki
Poole
,
RN
Psychatry
University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center
Glen Burnie
,
MD
United States

 

 

 

My husband was admitted to the unit and remained there for two weeks due to an acute manic episode with psychotic features. This was the third time he had been hospitalized but the first time since he had been diagnosed bipolar.
All of the nurses on the unit were amazing. They were professional, patient, and extremely empathetic with both me and my husband. They took the time to speak with me in detail every time I visited or called. They never made me feel like I was being a burden and they always took the time to answer my questions and address my concerns. All of that while being extremely pleasant on top of it. Nikki was the charge nurse on the unit for the duration of my husband's stay. She made sure my husband was treated with respect, even when he was very manic and delusional. She kept me calm and made recommendations for ways that I could care for myself in an extremely stressful time. She was relatable to me and empathetic to both my husband and me. She took the time on numerous occasions to walk out with me to talk through what the next steps of my husband's care were. On top of that, Nikki advocated ensuring that my husband remained in the unit until he was truly ready to come home. As a result, his transition back home went very smooth.
Overall, my experience with all of the professionals on this unit was exemplary, especially Nikki. I cannot overstate how important this experience was to my husband's journey to recovery and stability. Thank you!