We Treat You Like Family
Rushickah Brooks, Community Health Services
It could be said that nurses are the heart of a hospital. Within the pulse that reverberates through the walls on each unit on every floor, you’ll find nurses. Mary Ruane, RN, a nurse on the Surgical Cardiology Unit at Saint Francis Hospital, is part of that pulse.
Mary has been a part of the Surgical Cardiology Unit for two and a half years, joining the Saint Francis family following two semesters of clinical rotations at the hospital. She previously worked in the dental field and was “looking for something more.” She began taking pre-requisite courses while still working in the dental office, and realized the more she learned about nursing, the more she knew it was where she belonged.
“My grandparents went through hospice care,” Mary explained. “The care and compassion demonstrated by the nurses and doctors helped ease their worries and those of our family. I always come back to that and why it’s important for me to provide that same level of care and compassion to others.”
In her time at Saint Francis, Mary has embraced the roles of charge nurse and preceptor to new graduate nurses on the unit. From the beginning of her career, Mary stepped up and sought out opportunities to be a positive influence on her colleagues by taking on leadership roles. Nursing peers she has mentored along the way often express gratitude for Mary’s selfless caring nature, strong work ethic, and steadfast support.
“For me personally, I was really encouraged by the support I had from my instructors and peers,” said Mary. “This job can be very stressful, so helping to provide that encouragement to others is important to me.”
Along with her leadership skills, Mary’s bedside manner is exemplary. She consistently goes above and beyond to provide her patients with not only the best medical care, but the emotional support they need. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way clinicians provide care, but Mary did not let restrictions and challenges hinder the care she provides.
“When anyone is in the hospital, they are in such a vulnerable state. It’s gratifying to know that I can help them feel safe and more like themselves again by putting their worries at ease, talking to their family, and making sure both the patient and their family are feeling good about the care they are receiving,” Mary explained.
In one instance, Mary was charged with caring for a young mother who had an extended stay due to post-operative complications. It was just before Christmas and because of COVID-19 restrictions, the patient had not been able to see her young children in person for quite some time. Mary consulted with leadership and formulated a plan for the patient to safely visit with her family over the holidays. She escorted the patient to a safe, designated visiting area in the hospital where she was joyfully reunited with her children.
“I could see a big change in her,” said Mary. “It lifted her spirits. I couldn’t imagine being away from my own child for that long. It was my personal mission to make sure that happened.”
Mary’s strength in leadership has been evident throughout the pandemic, as she continuously stepped up through the fear, anxiety, anger, and loss to provide care to her patients as well as guidance and support to her colleagues.
After experiencing an incredible personal loss due to COVID-19, Mary said that her desire and passion to help her patients was reinvigorated. Her calm presence is recognized daily, despite what challenges that day may bring.
Mary was surprised to learn that she had won a Nightingale Award. “Honestly I was lost for words,” she said. “I did not imagine that so early in my career, or ever, that this would be a possibility for me. I think I speak for a lot of nurses when I say that the work we do is just what we do every day!”
Keeping the pulse of the hospital going is what nurses do every day, and Mary Ruane is an invaluable piece of keeping the pulse at Saint Francis Hospital strong.