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Publications & Resources > The Standard > March 2006

   Last modified: March 2006

In Praise of Nurses

The College welcomes letters commending outstanding nursing care. Accepted are original signed letters from the client/family member or an original signed letter from the facility/agency with a copy of the author’s letter and the author’s approval to publish it. Letters may be condensed for publication.

Treated with the utmost respect

On Saturday, August 13, 2005, my husband, Gary, suffered a heart attack. He is only 39 years old. At the onset of his pain, we proceeded immediately to William Osler Health Centre, but had to stop along the way and contact Emergency Services. Once we arrived at the hospital, he was taken into the expert care of the emergency room staff. I wish I had the state of mind at the time to get all of their names, but I didn’t, and I apologize. The staff members made my husband feel safe and treated him with the utmost respect, letting him know everything that was happening to him.

It was in the waiting room, when I was all alone, that I realized the severity of our situation, and I broke down crying. Immediately, one of the ER nurses came running out to me. She put her arm around me and told me that Gary was now stable and I could see him. Then, she brought me a coffee!

Within two hours, Gary was in the Close Observation Unit under the care of nurse Kim McDonald. Right away, Kim made us feel at ease and explained everything that she was doing. She was there with us that first evening until about 8 p.m., and then was back the next day. Never have I been treated with such respect and caring by any nurse — ever.

I, too, am a nurse, and I know that some nurses go way above and beyond, and this is the case with Kim. She made sure that Gary was comfortable and that we were both informed. This helped put both of our minds at some ease.

Even though I am a nurse, cardiac issues are not my specialty. When the situation hits this close to home, you almost detach yourself from your profession and become more of a patient or family member.

If there was such a thing as a Best Nurse Award, I would give it to Kim. There really is something to be said about a smaller hospital setting — something like best care ever!

Sincerely,
Tracy O’Donnell, RN
By e-mail
August 2005

 

Thanks for your loving care

Our mother was a resident of Sheridan Villa, Mississauga, from June 17, 2003, to June 10, 2005. We would like to commend the staff on the second floor, from the head nurse to the volunteers, for their care, support and understanding of our mother and of us.

Mother was mentally alert but declining physically, and was treated with respect and dignity. She was dubbed “The Little Lady with the Beautiful Smile.”

In these times of negative press regarding nursing homes, it is our pleasure to compliment the staff for their loving care of our mother.

Sincerely, Ralph and Elaine Britton, RN
Mississauga
August 2005

 

Reconnecting a family

Thank you so much for the wonderful care given to our brother Harry Vandersteen who was in the ICU at Joseph Brant Hospital for a couple of weeks in September. Thank you to the nurses and doctors for the care and compassion they showed Harry and also his family.

When my sisters from out of province called, staff would relay messages to and from Harry. It meant so much, while Harry could still speak, that those messages were relayed, and it also meant so much to my sisters! God used one of the nurses to inform the family that Harry said he would like to see his daughter before he dies. And Harry did get to see his daughter, even though he had not seen her for 30 years. He also got to meet her husband — they’re a wonderful young couple, and she has reconnected with the family!

Thank you so much for your compassionate care and for your time to answer any questions from those of us who could visit and also from those who phoned in. (Harry was one of 11 children.) He died in the ICU at Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital on October 3, at the age of 65.

Please continue to be involved with the “whole patient” — their fears, their longings. You are God’s hands. So many good things happened during the last few weeks of Harry’s life.

May God bless you,
Linda Fluit DeJonge, RPN, on behalf of the Vandersteen Family
Kitchener
November 2005

 

Efficiency is one thing, humanity another

I came into the McMaster emergency department on July 26 at 2:30 p.m. with a tongue and throat infection. It was difficult to talk, and my ability to swallow was hampered. Being diabetic, I was put on an IV antibiotic to be repeated for three days. I also filled a prescription for 10 days.

You folks are amazing, every single one of you. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the work you do and cannot truly comprehend the pressure you must be under, which is why I wanted to write. I want you to know that you are appreciated.

Efficiency is one thing, but humanity is another. I believe a sense of humour and a smile go a long way. Every doctor, every nurse and every staff member I spoke to seemed so surprised when I joked or asked how they were doing. One nurse was shocked when I told her I hoped she felt better, as she was a little under the weather. And in return, I saw her smile.

Thank you for doing what you do. You make a difference. Maybe you don’t hear this nearly enough, but if it wasn’t for you, I would not be here today. You save lives and I, for one, am extremely grateful.

Sincerely,
Matthew Clooney
Hamilton
November 2005

 

It takes a village

My mother, Grace McKim, was a resident of Cedarwood Village Nursing Home in Simcoe from June 2001 until her death on June 20, 2005. I would like to take a moment to make you aware of the excellent care that my mother received during the years she resided at Cedarwood Village.

The director, the Registered Nurses, the Registered Practical Nurses and the personal support workers work hard to see that the residents are promptly tended to and make a special effort to personalize each resident’s care.

During the last two weeks of my mother’s life, the staff continued to support her by offering her food and encouraging her to drink. When she finally became bedridden, they gently turned her every two hours and protected her fragile heels to prevent pressure sores. They moistened her mouth and lips, massaged her skin and talked to her. The staff supported our family by answering my phone calls, keeping us informed of her condition and providing emotional support during this very difficult time. They supported Dad, her husband of 59 years, as he watched as his wife lay dying.

Cedarwood Village is just that, a village of caregivers making a home for those individuals who are unable to live independently. Our family cannot thank the Cedarwood family enough for the four years of care that my mother received and for allowing her to die with grace and dignity. If there is an award for excellence in care in a nursing home facility, I would definitely recommend that Cedarwood Village be the recipient.

Sincerely yours,
Wendy Johnson
Cambridge
August 2005

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