Nerissa was my night nurse - not every night, but I had her the most frequently, and I'm so glad I did. Not only is she quite skilled, but she is also compassionate and caring. On the nights I had her, she would come into my room at shift change to check on me and explain any scheduled procedures for that night. Her professional competence was a reassurance to me.

I had open-heart surgery. Encompass brought in a special bed that used an air mattress to prevent bed sores. I could never get comfortable in this bed. Nerissa and several nurse techs did everything humanly possible to help me because I wasn't getting any sleep. But most importantly to note was that I was on oxygen. I used to get panic attacks at night - I couldn't breathe. I would ring for her, and she would hold my hand and tell me to breathe in, then out. She would stay with me until I calmed down. If I thought I needed pulmonary help, she would call a tech to check me out. Nerissa got me through one of the worst times in my life with her smiling face, skill, and compassion.