Thank You to Our Nurses
Patrice McDonald and Shayla Walker are the nurse managers for the Center for Respite Care. These two women work tirelessly to care for our clients – individuals who are ill and experiencing homelessness. Being a nurse requires compassion, caring, love and attention.
It takes one rising above herself to work a little bit harder, care a little bit more and pay close attention. The people Patrice and Shayla treat have often been out in the elements, are experiencing often longer term and unresolved medical issues and do not have a homeplace of their own.
The Center for Respite Care becomes that place.
When asked to describe a “day in the life,” it is met with both their smiles. Both women are career nurses. Patrice has worked for the Center since May of 2008. Shayla joined the team in May of 2019. They trade off nurse manager duties on the medical unit and are required to make important decisions that involve the health of their charges. They coordinate the efforts of the rest of the medical staff and work closely with the case management team.
The day starts by checking each of the clients’ charts. They quickly learn how medication is working, how people are feeling and review overall symptoms. While they generally are never on the floor at the same time, they often talk, text and email to bring one another up-to-speed. This means paying attention when they are home with their own families. Ongoing communication is essential.
There is a nursing shortage in the United States. The Center is fortunate to have committed nurses who put our clients first. The hours are long. The work is hard. The caring is a constant.
During these times of pandemic, they also confront the reality that they may encounter a most dangerous virus. Both Patrice and Shayla perform with enthusiasm and professionalism. For this, we thank them today and every day.
Nurses are on the front line and often do not receive the recognition that they deserve.
“Save one life, you’re a hero. Save 100 lives, you’re a nurse.” —Unknown
“A nurse is not what you do. It is what you are…. I am a nurse. It’s not what I do, it’s what I am.” —Unknown
“Nurses are the heart of healthcare.” —Donna Wilk Cardillo, MA, RN, CSP
“The character of the nurse is as important as the knowledge she possesses.” —Carolyn Jarvis
