Monica Oskowski
December 2025
Monica
Oskowski
,
ADN, RN
Tower 2
WellSpan York Hospital
York
,
PA
United States
That small gesture of taking time out of her busy shift to say hi meant more to Pap than she’ll ever know.
While all the nurses were outstanding, Monica went above and beyond. From the first time Pappy met Monica, they immediately hit it off.
Pappy, by nature, was witty and had a one-liner for nearly every occasion. To his delight, Monica could do just the same. Her bubbly smile, cheerful laugh, and warm demeanor were exactly what Pappy needed during a tumultuous time of a new and terrifying cardiac and cancer diagnosis.
Even on the days when Pappy was not directly under Monica’s care, she would always find the time to stop by to say hello. That small gesture of taking time out of her busy shift to say hi meant more to Pap than she’ll ever know.
One day in particular, Pappy was having a rough morning where his heart rate was constantly fluctuating. Every single time Pap had an episode, Monica was the first in the room with a calm but firm demeanor that she had everything under control.
At one point, I stepped out of his room, emotionally exhausted from the combination of the strenuous journey pap had been on up to that point and the toll of witnessing a loved one go into distress. He had been so mentally strong through everything, and I couldn’t bear for him to see me cry. While I am trying to regain my composure, I feel a gentle tap on my shoulder.
As if Monica wasn’t busy enough tending to Pap in addition to her other patients, there she stood offering a fresh box of tissues and her reassuring words that she was on top of everything. She didn’t have to give an elaborate speech showcasing her knowledge on what was happening or what was to come. All she needed to say was Pap was safe in her care.
For the first time since his whole health journey nightmare had started, I felt like I was actually able to exhale. Ultimately, Pap’s journey did not end the way in which we anticipated. As Pap was making his transition from this life to the next, genuine emotion flowed from our family and Monica as we all realized what was about to be.
It goes without saying that such emotion from a provider could not or would not be possible if they didn’t care about what they did or how they treated their patients. I have no doubt in my mind that Monica has the same care and compassion for all the patients who have the honor of being under her watch, just the same as Pappy.
Pappy, by nature, was witty and had a one-liner for nearly every occasion. To his delight, Monica could do just the same. Her bubbly smile, cheerful laugh, and warm demeanor were exactly what Pappy needed during a tumultuous time of a new and terrifying cardiac and cancer diagnosis.
Even on the days when Pappy was not directly under Monica’s care, she would always find the time to stop by to say hello. That small gesture of taking time out of her busy shift to say hi meant more to Pap than she’ll ever know.
One day in particular, Pappy was having a rough morning where his heart rate was constantly fluctuating. Every single time Pap had an episode, Monica was the first in the room with a calm but firm demeanor that she had everything under control.
At one point, I stepped out of his room, emotionally exhausted from the combination of the strenuous journey pap had been on up to that point and the toll of witnessing a loved one go into distress. He had been so mentally strong through everything, and I couldn’t bear for him to see me cry. While I am trying to regain my composure, I feel a gentle tap on my shoulder.
As if Monica wasn’t busy enough tending to Pap in addition to her other patients, there she stood offering a fresh box of tissues and her reassuring words that she was on top of everything. She didn’t have to give an elaborate speech showcasing her knowledge on what was happening or what was to come. All she needed to say was Pap was safe in her care.
For the first time since his whole health journey nightmare had started, I felt like I was actually able to exhale. Ultimately, Pap’s journey did not end the way in which we anticipated. As Pap was making his transition from this life to the next, genuine emotion flowed from our family and Monica as we all realized what was about to be.
It goes without saying that such emotion from a provider could not or would not be possible if they didn’t care about what they did or how they treated their patients. I have no doubt in my mind that Monica has the same care and compassion for all the patients who have the honor of being under her watch, just the same as Pappy.