My story involves a very special nurse---Brittany Gonzales. After cervical spine surgery, I was taken to the 3 West Post Op Recovery room where I began to experience a bleed on the left side of my head following the removal of a spinal monitor. I awoke to a doctor pushing with force on one side of my head and Brittany, my nurse, on the other side. I was terrified and unclear of the situation. Once they were able to get the bleed under control, my hair and bedside were full of blood. Not only that I had just awoke from spinal surgery and was deeply uncomfortable and scared. Amid the anxiety and confusion, Brittany calmly took charge of my care. Her calm and confident manner was immediately contagious and comforting. I was able to relax and approach the post-operative moment with strength and resolve.

Brittany anticipated my every need, without exception. Her efforts exceeded any reasonable expectation. Everything I needed as a patient, from medications to questions to doctoral support was timely and professionally anticipated, planned, and resolved without need to request assistance. Brittany took the extra steps throughout my time in recovery. As her shift was coming to a close, she was able to get me up and walk around, a feat I didn’t imagine to accomplish so soon. At that time, we became aware of the amount of blood that was stuck in the back of my hair behind my neck. I became increasingly nervous, but again, with her calm demeanor, she reassured me and was determined to help me rinse my hair before she left. She called every floor looking for a hair rinsing kit, and when she didn’t locate one, she filled a tub of water and washed my hair strand by strand while I lay in the recovery bed. At this point, it was well after her shift, but she chose to stay and make sure I was comfortable and that she had carefully washed the blood away before her departure. She, without complaint, took care of it for me.

In summation, I believe Brittany’s professionalism and nursing treatment were above what I could have anticipated from anyone in any profession. Calm, confident, and obviously highly skilled, she performed the expected, as well as the exceptional, in my case. She is a wonderfully skilled and caring nurse, and I was privileged to be under her care. She helped me to heal more quickly and comfortably, and her actions inspired me to be a better professional and person. I want to thank Brittany and thank you for permitting me the opportunity to recognize this outstanding nurse.