My husband has experienced several long hospital stays since his stroke in 2022. He was left with some information processing and communication deficits after the stroke. Most recently, he has suffered from hydrocephalus. I very rarely feel comfortable leaving the room, much less the hospital. The weekend we had Fran as our nurse was different. He is young, but he exhibited knowledge and experience that seemed to far exceed his years. He has previously cared for patients with hydrocephalus and was so diligent and attentive in caring for my husband’s needs that I felt an ease that I don’t often feel in the hospital setting.

My husband had to go to Dialysis during one of Fran’s shifts, and I went home for a couple of hours. An issue at home prevented me from being back in the room before my husband returned from treatment, but instead of becoming extremely stressed about being “late”, I was comforted by the knowledge that Fran was caring for him, and I was reassured by his encouragement to take a longer break for myself, if I wanted one. When I returned a short while after my husband came back to his room, he was perfectly content, at ease, and well-cared for, confirming that my confidence in Fran was well-placed.

During Fran’s next shift, I had some concerns about some pain my husband was experiencing. Instead of dismissing my anxiety, Fran adeptly assessed the situation, contacted the doctor, and treated what turned out to be a relatively minor issue in the end. Fran’s reaction and course of action were informed, professional, and highly effective. But beyond that, even, the extra effort he took to reassure me was a comfort that meant so very much. Fran is an excellent nurse, and I believe he will continue to be an asset to patients and their families.