March 2021
Amber
Aleman
,
RN
Cardiac
St. Joseph's Hospitals and South Florida Baptist Hospital

 

 

 

I felt so alone and devasted. Then out of nowhere, I could feel Amber's hand in mine, she was there to comfort me through this.
Amber Aleman is an amazingly compassionate, caring nurse. When I arrived on the unit I was having so much trouble breathing, very short of breath after my ablation. She quickly realized that, got me comfortable, and attached me to oxygen. l looked at my belongings and realized I had a CPAP machine with me and could benefit from that now. She called the doctor immediately and got the order, called respiratory, and helped me set up my CPAP and get it on. Which made a world of difference; now that is a nurse! A quick assessment realized the situation and took the appropriate actions. I knew I was in good hands and went to sleep.
What I did not know at that time was that her amazing abilities as a nurse did not stop there. She went beyond my expectations and was a true symbol of the mission and vision of this hospital. A nurse your organization should be proud of and a role model for future nurses. While I was recuperating, she was dealing with a lot of calls from my family about some very tragic news, plus the doctor that needed to tell me my surgery did not go as expected and I would need further surgeries.
Poor thing, she had to deal with all these calls, juggle all these situations, as she was still constantly assessing me and making sure I was breathing comfortably as I slept. My spouse had called to let her know that the family needed to tell me something tragic but necessary for me to know. She took charge, made sure I was ready, able to breathe, calm, and comfortable before she brought me the phone. She asked me if I was well enough to speak because my spouse had called several times very concerned about me, the doctors had called, and they also had news for me. She handed me the phone and stood by as the tragic news was given to me that, my world's greatest mother-in-law had passed this very morning. My world shattered, I cried so hard my heart was not only weak by illness but now shattered by this news. And because of Covid, I could not be there to hold and comfort my spouse.
I felt so alone and devasted. Then out of nowhere, I could feel Amber's hand in mine, she was there to comfort me through this. I will never forget what a compassionate nurse she is, she did not know me, she did not have to stop her daily flow and stay there with me, she did not have to extend her hand to mine with love compassion, and sympathy. But she did! Now that is a DAISY Nurse and much more in my eyes. She held me after the call, reassured me, and even recognized that I could benefit from a visit from the pastor. Again amazing nursing skills in this young nurse whose dedication to the profession goes beyond the scope of my expectations.
I do not know many people that would do the same! But I know that because she was there, that horrible tragic news about my wonderful mother-in-law passing, she simply just made it better. I felt I was in great hands and had the best nurse by my side helping me. I thanked her for her courage, compassion, caring, and her ability to be gentle when needed and take charge when things were bad.
So again, thank you for comforting me as I cried like a baby through a very difficult day during these Covid times and restrictions. You will always have a special place in my heart and this organization is lucky to have you! You are the best nurse ever!