My elderly mother was recently admitted after falling and breaking her hip, then needing surgery. The staff at SLV Health was amazing, but there is one nurse who touched my heart so much that I will never forget her.

Unfortunately, I live out of state, so it took me several days to get to the hospital after my mom had her fall and was sent to the hospital for surgery. I'm embarrassed to say that I wasn't the kindest initially. I called the hospital before I flew in and asked the nurse for an update. Despite my telling them that I was her daughter, the nurse wouldn't give me any information because I didn't have her HIPAA code. I was pretty bewildered and not too nice. I think I hung up on her before she even finished her sentence.

When I got to the hospital the next day, my mom told me that she hadn't seen the nurse or had any pain medication for hours. I was raging mad! I'll tell you, I pushed that call bell so fast. Here comes nurse Shaalynn. She introduced herself, and I recognized her name as the nurse who wouldn't give me any information over the phone the day prior. I won't repeat what I said, but I was rude. I am so embarrassed.

But I am writing this because of how that nurse handled this situation. Instead of getting angry, storming out, or reacting badly, she just listened. She let me say my peace, and then she talked me off my ledge. She was calm and professional. She explained to me that Mom was confused and told all the time that she had gotten pain medicine. She told me how often the nurses come around, as well as the CNAs. She pulled up the charting to show me even. She also said she remembered the call yesterday and asked if she could explain the HIPAA code and what it was for. I felt silly for getting upset after her explanation.

After that conversation, she made sure I was settled and brought me coffee. Then she proceeded to give my mother some of the most exceptional nursing care I have ever seen. My mom was a patient in that hospital for a couple of weeks, and we had the pleasure of having Shaalynn as our nurse several of those days. That wing must have been short-staffed because I don't think I saw that girl sit down at all for most of those days. Even when we had different nurses, Shaalynn still came to help mom up to the bathroom and answered our call bell if she was on.

She made sure my mom had pain medications on time. Because my mom was confused at times, she couldn't or would not ask for pain medication. I noticed that not all the nurses would bring medication until mom was very restless and irritable from the pain. I would notice that on her shift, Mom didn't seem to get that way. When I asked Shaalynn, she said it was because the pain medications weren't ordered or scheduled on her chart, so she checked on mom's pain more frequently and used a "FLACC" scale to make sure to keep her pain under control. I know it was probably more time-consuming for her, but she went out of her way to ensure Mom was medicated appropriately, and it made a noticeable difference.

I felt that some of the staff would just come in and do things and not explain what was going on. Shaalynn made sure to explain every medication, every scan, and every lab, and made sure to keep me up to date about any changes. As a former teacher, I liked that she used the phrase, “What questions do you have?” after she explained things. I have never heard that before. It felt like it opened the door and that she was willing to answer my questions.

I was also very impressed with the fact that she did the “CNA” work too. She gave my mom bed baths, changed her diaper, and did the linens. I had been asking the staff for a brush for my mom because the comb was just knotting her hair up. The hospital apparently doesn't have them. Why not? When I mentioned to her that I was leaving to go to the store to get one soon, she said to hold on and that she had one. Sure enough, she brought a brush back.

I asked her to tell the other staff that the hospital had them because they had all told me no. She proceeded to tell me that the hospital actually does not stock them, that she was tired of her patients not having brushes when they needed them, so she went out and bought a bunch with her own money, and keeps them in her locker so that her patients will have what they need. I was absolutely amazed. This really touched me because I often purchased items out of my own salary for my classrooms as a teacher. I know the amount of love and compassion you must have in your heart for your students or patients in order to do that.

Another day, I must have looked stressed or upset. Mom was napping, and I had been on the phone with insurance, trying to figure that out. She asked me if I was okay. She sat with me when I cried. She listened, even though I had been so hateful towards her previously. This nurse, who I am sure had 500 other things to do, remembered every single day how I like my coffee, and I'm sure I only told her once.

I know that I never apologized for the way I spoke to her, and I regret it. So, I hope that the appropriate parties see this so that this exceptional nurse can get the recognition that she deserves.

Nurse Shaalynn, I deeply apologize for speaking to you the way that I did. I cannot express my gratitude or appreciation enough to you. You often do not see people who work in that profession who look like they genuinely care about the people more than the paycheck. You have found your calling, and I hope that the “old fuddy duddies” such as myself do not ever make you lose the joy that you have in caring for others.

Your compassion, understanding, sense of humor, and professionalism are unmatched. San Luis Valley Health is lucky to have you. Thank you for all you did for my mother and me. I can only hope that I will get a nurse just like you if I ever find myself lying in a hospital bed.