Every cancer patient deserves a competent, compassionate nurse who can make her feel better just by being in the room. My mom was fortunate to have that in Emily Bell. The consummate caregiver, Emily made my mom comfortable - both physically and emotionally - as she battled fevers and side effects after a stem cell transplant. The five nights my mom spent in the hospital were better because Emily was her nurse.
Admitted for a fever late one Tuesday night, my mom soon after, met her night nurse. She had a rough night, as she explained the previous night's events to me the next day, and she was undoubtedly grateful for Emily's kindness and attention. I stayed with my mom during the night for the remainder of her stay in the hospital, and I saw firsthand what a wonderful nurse Emily is.
As quick as Emily was to respond to Mom's physical needs, she was just as quick with a sweet smile, a warm hand on her shoulder, and an encouraging word. My mom truly felt like she was Emily's only patient - she received that much care.
What I observed that I really appreciated was Emily's standard response to my mom's "Thank yous". Every time Emily did something for my mom, whether it be bringing her medicine or water, or having helped her to the bathroom and back, my mom would thank her. Emily's response: "Of course!". With those two words and her sweet smile, I realized that Emily was really saying, "I'm your nurse, of course I'm going to give you that kind of care". Her care for my mom was a matter "of course" for her, but it was not "standard". Emily's care was above and beyond and her attitude was even beyond that!
Nursing school can teach people to insert IV's, use and care for tri-fusion catheters and collect blood cultures, but it can't teach the kindheartedness and personal attention that we saw from Emily.
Emily Bell has all the skills that patients need from their nurse, but she has all the qualities that patients deserve, too. Emily Bell is an angel in scrubs!