Cardiac ICU Nurses

@sheim, what a lovely gesture and testament to Mayo's ICU nursing staff. I have added your message to the ICU group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/intensive-care-icu/) as well as the HCM group. The ICU nurses are a special sort, aren't they. They work together as a team so incredibly well. I might think of a gift that they could share together - gift cards to a place for food or coffee? Something to brighten their workplace? I'm going to bring in @andreab. She might have an idea of what staff appreciate. (Of course, she'll say they don't need thanks, but don't listen to that part. LOL)

Sheim, what extra thing did an ICU nurse do that made you stay easy or bring unexpected joy or solace to you while in ICU?

Hi Colleen, i actually phoned the manager of the nurses in icu who looked after me and i actually organised them a breakfast for the night staff and a lunch for the day just to show our appreciation. They nurses were like family after my stay and i also find that in those critical moments i felt smiles and love while in a coma strange but that was the feeling i had. I dont think icu staff always get the thank u they deserve i wish i could afford to do it more often for them

Hi im so glad u on the mend and going home. I bought icu night shift platters of breakfast. It was delivered to them by a caterring company and pizzas and salads for day staff for lunch. The caterring company was helpful in knowing the day staff had 3 different lunch breaks and delivered 4x for us. But when i explained how the nurses saved my life and became family she did not hesitate

@sheim and @cindyvag

It is so great to read about the wonderful care you received and how you want to thank the nurses who provided that care. Not everyone thinks to say "thank you" in such tangible ways. I'm sure in whatever way you choose to say thank you the nursing staff will appreciate your remembering them and it will encourage them as they continue on in their work.

Colleen, it's going to be my guess none of the nurses did anything special; it's what they do but in doing that you can tell their total focus is on the patient from the time the patient arrives until departure; always encouraging always checking. They even went along with my joke to eat something for me (oatmeal cookie) during the days I was on a liquid diet. When full diet was allowed one even brought me a cookie.

@sheim it is so nice to hear about your great experience with the ICU nursing staff. I can't say I am surprised by this - but it is always great to hear :)! The suggestions by others on this thread are great. I will add that I know not much makes ICU nurses happier than to see our former patients out in the world enjoying their lives. A personal visit back to the ICU just to wave and say hi or thanks does wonders for the team. That is not always possible as many of our patients travel from far distances, so thank you cards with pictures of healthy smiling faces is also very appreciated!

I LOVE the "Picture" idea.. I decided on small gift cards since there were several nurses and I want individual thank you cards. A picture WILL remind them who I am. I wish I could go back and see them but we're from Idaho and there's no more time.