I was very scared to have a major surgery as a person with PTSD from sexual trauma. My nurses went above and beyond during my admission in the neuro ICU. I brought a letter to my care team explaining my situation and how they could help me get through the admission with the hope of not having a PTSD episode.

Here are some ways each nurse helped me feel safe during my admission and helped me achieve my goal: Bridget put a sign on my door that read “see nurse before entering”. That way, she could hand them the letter I wrote so they knew how to help me in a way that made me feel comfortable. There was a specific moment when my arterial line was not getting a reading and not drawing/flushing properly, and it caused a lot of pain. I started to have a panic attack from the pain, and Bridget helped me through it. Even though she had to get a reading back by palpating and moving the a-line around, she was instructing me on my breathing technique and was very calm the entire time. She also said one thing that stayed with me. She kept saying, “You’re safe.” For someone with trauma, this was impactful and the one thing that allowed me to calm down.

Cassandra (I.e., Cassie) was a true angel. She wasn’t my assigned nurse, but she stepped up when I had a male nurse, and I needed a catheter. She allowed me to decide on the kind of catheter and was extremely gentle and informative the entire time. As someone with sexual trauma, these procedures can be extremely traumatizing. Her demeanor, presence, and informative care made the process very easy. The way she took care of me is something I will remember forever.