Ksusha Shambarger
December 2023
Ksusha
Shambarger
,
BSN, RN
PCU
St. Anthony Summit Medical Center
Frisco
,
CO
United States

 

 

 

She knew her job extremely well. But what she had mastered is the ability to combine a job description, a medical professional, with the caring hand of a kind, considerate, empathetic caregiver.
When I was first in the ER I expected to just go home after. Unfortunately, I had to be admitted overnight. I was in tremendous pain, frustrated, and upset about my personal situation. The negative feelings were all I could think about. Then I walked (sorry was rolled) into my room, the very first person I saw was Ksusha. She immediately smiled and projected an attitude of positivity and concern. She was obviously very busy. However, instead of just treating me like another patient that was added to her workload, I felt like I was treated as family. Anything I needed was treated like her number one priority. She would stop everything she was doing and give me 100% of her attention. I felt respected as a human and not just as another person she had to deal with. She knew her job extremely well. But what she had mastered is the ability to combine a job description, a medical professional, with the caring hand of a kind, considerate, empathetic caregiver. Because it’s not just the medical expertise that matters but it’s how you treat the whole person. It's not just the physical issues but the bedside manner, kindness, empathy, understanding, and listening that sometimes seem to take second place to a diagnosis. Ksusha seems to have a complete understanding of what makes us human, not just a patient.