Tanya Ennis
February 2017
Tanya
Ennis
,
RN, CMSRN
Medical-Surgical Unit
Lancaster General Health
Lancaster
,
PA
United States

 

 

 

I was homeless, recently divorced, and mother of a murdered 21-year-old son. Married for 27 ½ years, I felt hopeless and bitter. I had a barrier that rendered my soul bankrupt. Isolated in my hospital room for two months after contacting a virus called VRE, life once again seemed to require suicide as a relief. Hell would have been a country club. And besides, I never seemed to matter to anybody anyway. I didn't like me either! But a nurse named Tanya Ennis took the time to ask me about me. Somehow I knew, ordinary she was not.
When I met her, I met somebody! Tanya was my new antidepressant. She encouraged the thought that life's knots could be untangled. The "could knots," the "should knots," and most of all the "AM knots!" Her precious lunch and dinner breaks were spent with me. I had a friend in Lancaster! She spoke of God and his begotten son, Jesus. She spoke of building bridges and getting over them, not jumping. She also told me some things we may never get over and those things we would get through. Yes, she said WE! I was no longer alone.
Later I realized I had two friends, Tanya and Jesus. I attend church with her regularly. I now allow myself to concentrate on the scriptures and receive direction. The collection of bad memories, I will learn from. The good memories will join my gratitude and embrace my future. I will always be mindful of the magic one person shared with me. Normally I always put off today what I can do tomorrow. But my conscious will not give me peace. The gift of a DAISY Award for Tanya would make my heart smile.
The gift that Tanya shared with me is without parallel!
***
I was a patient in Lancaster General this past week. I was impressed with the hospital. The one nurse who was exceptional was on the day shift and her name was Tanya Ennis. I remember her because of her professional manner and attitude. She also had a wonderful sense of humor - something that is important when a patient is going through a difficult time.
***
I recently spent three days on the 7 North Unit. During that time my nurse was Tanya Ennis and she did an outstanding job of taking care of me. Besides being very professional, she was caring and attentive and also showed a sense of humor, which you need when you are not feeling good. Nothing was too much for her when I would ask for items. I feel she has the attributes for the DAISY Award because of her extraordinary compassionate and skillful care.