Caitlyn I had a urological surgery at Mercy Gilbert on January 24th and was in the hospital for 36 hours. During my stay, there were two shifts where Caitlyn was my assigned nurse. As I am in my seventies, I’ve had plenty of exposure to hospitals and their staff, and I have never felt so well-cared for as I did with Caitlyn.

Not only was she personable, she also fully understood the procedure I underwent and demonstrated excellent technical knowledge of the procedure itself and the necessary post op care. Her attention to detail did not go unnoticed by this retired technical professional. Although I am aware that hospital protocols require periodic checking of patients, Caitlyn always lets me know ahead of time what to expect and when. She advised me ahead of shift changes so I was never left guessing about who would show up next. I was fully briefed on the discharge procedure in advance.

Clearly, a nurse’s job has its trying moments. On my second day, I heard two “Code Blue” calls that morning, which I suspected were adverse situations for some patients. Later in the day, Caitlyn mentioned “it’s been a tough day” without further explanation, but she maintained her smile and friendly demeanor. I see this as a mark of professionalism, a strong value for someone caring for patients with a wide range of personalities and attitudes. Above all else, Caitlyn made me feel as if I mattered to her, that I wasn’t just another patient.