Lucy Sandell
March 2023
Lucy
Sandell
,
BSN, RN
NICU
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle
,
WA
United States

 

 

 

She frequently reminded us of the importance of self-care and sleep, and she always found a way to make us laugh and smile, all while taking care of our son’s needs. Her family-focused care stood out to our whole family!
Lucy was a primary nurse for our son in the NICU. He stayed in the NICU from the day of his birth until he was about 3.5 weeks old. Lucy is the most compassionate, caring, fun, and optimistic nurse I have ever met. Not only is she an incredible nurse, but she is an incredible person, and her character and work ethic far exceeded any expectation of care for our newborn son. She went out of her way to make sure our son had everything he needed and got us his hand and footprints since his traumatic birth prevented him from being able to get those done at his birth hospital (those hand and foot prints are still hanging up on our wall!), gave him his first bath, and had so much fun doing so, and reminded us often of the importance of self-care and taking care of each other. And she was so kind and gracious to my wife, me, and our entire family when we were going through such a difficult time after his traumatic birth.

I really can’t put into words how wonderful Lucy has been during our stay in the NICU. In the most stressful situation we have ever been in, our newborn son in the NICU, she found ways to bring us all joy, and laughter, and the most incredible care possible. It goes without saying that she is the definition of exceptional care, compassion, and dedication to her work. Although we had some wonderful nurses at Seattle Children’s, Lucy truly went above and beyond for us, as I am quite sure she does for all of her patients, because it’s clear that’s the type of person Lucy is, someone who really cares about the families she helps. I don’t think she ever left the room without asking us if we needed anything, and she frequently reminded us of the importance of self-care and sleep, and she always found a way to make us laugh and smile, all while taking care of our son’s needs. Her family-focused care stood out to our whole family!

I hope that Lucy gets to read this message, and other nominations that she may get, so she knows the impact she has on families who are in stressful situations when their child is in the NICU. I want her to know her positive impact on our lives. We will tell our son when he is older how incredible his care was during his time at Seattle Children’s, and we will specifically mention Lucy to him, and the incredible care she brought our son when he was so sick. My wife and I can never thank you enough Lucy for all you did for our son and for us, thank you again!

***

My son and wife had their newborn brought in with life-threatening issues from a traumatic birth. He has been at Children’s Hospital for over 3 weeks now, and Lucy has shown exceptional care and compassion for all 3 members of this young family. I have worked in the medical field for many years. I have witnessed many hospital staff over those years and Lucy's aptitude for comfort and care goes beyond training. It is simply an attitude toward people that had to be her reason for choosing her nursing career. Unfortunately, for the sake of one’s mental health, most health personnel who work in hospitals have to shelve their emotions after a few years as patients they care about don’t recover or recover to a disabled condition. Lucy has an excellent start on caring for the whole family unit, which helps to go through difficult times. She is a blessing to us and to Children’s. I won’t let her background (the University of Michigan trained) taint my praise!

***

My grandson was born with oxygen deprivation. They placed him in the cold bath and warmed him. He had so many complications. Lucy was wonderful with two brand-new first-time parents. She explained everything to them and went so far out of her way to help them with this. She even did his hand and feet prints one night when they went out to dinner. It was way above her call to duty and the entire family cannot thank this wonderful woman enough. She came into our hearts like part of the family. Thank you, Lucy, for everything you do every day.