Tess Jimkoski
March 2026
Tess
Jimkoski
,
RN
Emergency Department
Trinity Health Oakland
Pontiac
,
MI
United States
She shared so much compassion and some touching personal experience and was able to connect with my sister-in-law on a level I couldn't find a way to reach.
I am a nurse in the ER at Trinity Health Oakland. I was working when my sister-in-law called me because she was spotting and was 13 weeks pregnant. After some discussion, it was decided she would come into my ER to get an ultrasound to determine what was actually happening. This happened at the end of my shift, so after I punched out for the day, I stayed with my sister-in-law in the ER.
As you can imagine, the hours we stayed in the ER were uncomfortable and uncertain. She was hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. When she left for her ultrasound, I was also preparing myself for the worst, trying to find the words I could use to help her through this difficult situation. Tess was assigned as her nurse. When my sister-in-law received the devastating news that she had lost her pregnancy, and even though we, internally, had been preparing for the news since she had gotten there, the right words wouldn't come. Tess was able to ease that burden. When Tess came in with her discharge instructions, she had the words that I couldn't find. She shared so much compassion and some touching personal experiences, and was able to connect with my sister-in-law on a level I couldn't find a way to reach.
As a nurse who has been in this situation countless times with others, I was at a loss on how to handle this situation, but I didn't have to, because Tess knew what to do. She really connected with my sister-in-law. She handled this uncomfortable and sad situation with such grace and compassion, and was able to connect with my family member in such a beautiful way. She gave my family member peace of mind and was able to prepare her for what was to come.
When it was time to leave, Tess gave her a hug. And that hug was so needed. In the days after, Leah, my sister-in-law, shared how much her nurse, named Tess, helped her and how great she was. I think that speaks volumes. When you go through one of the worst experiences of your life, but can remember kindness and compassion over the hurt? That is beautiful. I am so thankful for Tess and feel blessed that she was my family member’s nurse that night, and I know she will always remember her.
As you can imagine, the hours we stayed in the ER were uncomfortable and uncertain. She was hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. When she left for her ultrasound, I was also preparing myself for the worst, trying to find the words I could use to help her through this difficult situation. Tess was assigned as her nurse. When my sister-in-law received the devastating news that she had lost her pregnancy, and even though we, internally, had been preparing for the news since she had gotten there, the right words wouldn't come. Tess was able to ease that burden. When Tess came in with her discharge instructions, she had the words that I couldn't find. She shared so much compassion and some touching personal experiences, and was able to connect with my sister-in-law on a level I couldn't find a way to reach.
As a nurse who has been in this situation countless times with others, I was at a loss on how to handle this situation, but I didn't have to, because Tess knew what to do. She really connected with my sister-in-law. She handled this uncomfortable and sad situation with such grace and compassion, and was able to connect with my family member in such a beautiful way. She gave my family member peace of mind and was able to prepare her for what was to come.
When it was time to leave, Tess gave her a hug. And that hug was so needed. In the days after, Leah, my sister-in-law, shared how much her nurse, named Tess, helped her and how great she was. I think that speaks volumes. When you go through one of the worst experiences of your life, but can remember kindness and compassion over the hurt? That is beautiful. I am so thankful for Tess and feel blessed that she was my family member’s nurse that night, and I know she will always remember her.