Mary Joyce Bland
February 2026
Mary Joyce
Bland
,
BSN, RN, RN Med Surg- BC
Laurel Oaks
Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital
Columbia
,
SC
United States
When I heard her voice, I felt safe. She was not just my nurse; she was my advocate and became my friend.
I have never had a nurse show me so much compassion by sitting beside me, putting her arm around me, and comforting me while I was in pain. The medical profession needs a lot more nurses like Mary Joyce.
***
This nurse has and does go above and beyond, and being a great nurse, she brings a lot of love and compassion to her patient and their families.
***
Face it. Prisma Parkridge attracts some of the best nurses and techs in Columbia and beyond. So, how does one stand out above all the others? Especially when you are a patient (like me) who stayed at the hospital for nearly 3 weeks and had two emergency operations. Let me tell you about Mary Joyce. When I heard her voice, I felt safe. She was not just my nurse; she was my advocate and became my friend. You need a person to talk to when you feel frightened and intimidated by what is going on with your body. And yes, 73-year-old men can get very frightened in a hospital! Especially when things get really serious. Mary Joyce helped pull me through when I felt despair about my condition. There was a lot of pain and a lot of painkillers. She never let me give up on myself. One person can make a difference in this world. I felt a personal connection to her. I'm sure all of her patients receive this connection. Because she gives it her all. She was there for me 110%. I even got to meet her wonderful daughter and found her husband, and I had friends in common. It's one thing to do your job effectively. It's another thing to get the type of personal care that makes you feel safe. That makes you feel grateful to have met someone. Mary Joyce is a very special person. I am fortunate to have been in her care. Thank you for this opportunity to tell you what I'm sure you already know and appreciate.
***
The first night of my stay, Mary Joyce made sure I needed for nothing. No request was too big or too small for her, and she made sure I knew that. She made sure to check on me every day she was scheduled. Not just for my physical health, but my mental health as well, because she knew I was missing my daughter. Mary Joyce is absolutely the best nurse I have ever encountered. She made my stay feel at home.
***
Coming to Parkridge, I thought what was supposed to be IV antibiotics turned into a toe amputation. I felt hopeless and depressed. Then came along a nurse who prayed with me, talked to me, and made me feel really at ease. She also went through her own battles. I want to nominate Mary Joyce for a DAISY Award because we need more caring nurses like her. Her smile lights up a room and makes me feel better. All the nurses I had at Parkridge were nice and sweet, but Mary Joyce stood out the most.
***
This nurse has and does go above and beyond, and being a great nurse, she brings a lot of love and compassion to her patient and their families.
***
Face it. Prisma Parkridge attracts some of the best nurses and techs in Columbia and beyond. So, how does one stand out above all the others? Especially when you are a patient (like me) who stayed at the hospital for nearly 3 weeks and had two emergency operations. Let me tell you about Mary Joyce. When I heard her voice, I felt safe. She was not just my nurse; she was my advocate and became my friend. You need a person to talk to when you feel frightened and intimidated by what is going on with your body. And yes, 73-year-old men can get very frightened in a hospital! Especially when things get really serious. Mary Joyce helped pull me through when I felt despair about my condition. There was a lot of pain and a lot of painkillers. She never let me give up on myself. One person can make a difference in this world. I felt a personal connection to her. I'm sure all of her patients receive this connection. Because she gives it her all. She was there for me 110%. I even got to meet her wonderful daughter and found her husband, and I had friends in common. It's one thing to do your job effectively. It's another thing to get the type of personal care that makes you feel safe. That makes you feel grateful to have met someone. Mary Joyce is a very special person. I am fortunate to have been in her care. Thank you for this opportunity to tell you what I'm sure you already know and appreciate.
***
The first night of my stay, Mary Joyce made sure I needed for nothing. No request was too big or too small for her, and she made sure I knew that. She made sure to check on me every day she was scheduled. Not just for my physical health, but my mental health as well, because she knew I was missing my daughter. Mary Joyce is absolutely the best nurse I have ever encountered. She made my stay feel at home.
***
Coming to Parkridge, I thought what was supposed to be IV antibiotics turned into a toe amputation. I felt hopeless and depressed. Then came along a nurse who prayed with me, talked to me, and made me feel really at ease. She also went through her own battles. I want to nominate Mary Joyce for a DAISY Award because we need more caring nurses like her. Her smile lights up a room and makes me feel better. All the nurses I had at Parkridge were nice and sweet, but Mary Joyce stood out the most.