Zaycee Argyle
April 2026
Zaycee
Argyle
,
BSN, RN
Operating Room
Holy Cross Hospital- Jordan Valley
West Jordan
,
UT
United States
Because of Zaycee's intentionality, this family's anxiety was eased, and the situation was smooth for everyone involved.
Zaycee cared for a patient in the OR who was undergoing a long and complicated brain surgery. The patient was understandably nervous, as was her family.
In the surgery area, we have the ability to use a text messaging system built into EPIC to communicate updates with patients' families while they are in the operating room and the surgeon is unable to talk with them. I was so impressed with Zaycee's thorough and timely updates throughout the case.
She was able to say such things as, "Just updating you again, your loved one is doing well. These procedures can take a long time, but things are going as expected! Take care of yourselves, and I will keep you updated!" and "We are done with the procedure and are now closing the incision. Your loved one is doing well. You will receive a message when we are completely done, and they will be in PACU for at least 30 minutes after that. They will let you know when they are ready for you. Thank you for letting us care for you."
I was so touched by and impressed by Zaycee's compassionate care to this patient's family. They could have been just sitting in the waiting room for hours on end, worrying about how things were going and running through all the "what if's" that accompany a huge brain surgery. But, because Zaycee took the time to be intentional with her updates and with her wording, she showed that the patient was being cared for and also that the team was striving to take care of the family as well.
Because of Zaycee's intentionality, this family's anxiety was eased, and the situation was smooth for everyone involved. OR nurses don't get a lot of credit for the work that they do because it is largely unseen by everyone, happening behind the red line and behind closed doors. However, I think Zaycee was able to bridge that gap in a really beautiful way to honor this patient and their family.
I know that this is not an isolated incident and that Zaycee cares for all of her patients and families in this way, and I would love to honor her for all that is seen, but especially that which is unseen.
In the surgery area, we have the ability to use a text messaging system built into EPIC to communicate updates with patients' families while they are in the operating room and the surgeon is unable to talk with them. I was so impressed with Zaycee's thorough and timely updates throughout the case.
She was able to say such things as, "Just updating you again, your loved one is doing well. These procedures can take a long time, but things are going as expected! Take care of yourselves, and I will keep you updated!" and "We are done with the procedure and are now closing the incision. Your loved one is doing well. You will receive a message when we are completely done, and they will be in PACU for at least 30 minutes after that. They will let you know when they are ready for you. Thank you for letting us care for you."
I was so touched by and impressed by Zaycee's compassionate care to this patient's family. They could have been just sitting in the waiting room for hours on end, worrying about how things were going and running through all the "what if's" that accompany a huge brain surgery. But, because Zaycee took the time to be intentional with her updates and with her wording, she showed that the patient was being cared for and also that the team was striving to take care of the family as well.
Because of Zaycee's intentionality, this family's anxiety was eased, and the situation was smooth for everyone involved. OR nurses don't get a lot of credit for the work that they do because it is largely unseen by everyone, happening behind the red line and behind closed doors. However, I think Zaycee was able to bridge that gap in a really beautiful way to honor this patient and their family.
I know that this is not an isolated incident and that Zaycee cares for all of her patients and families in this way, and I would love to honor her for all that is seen, but especially that which is unseen.