Posted: 2/11/2019
More than 3,500 cards expected to be distributed during fifth annual event
Even though social media and e-Cards have taken away some of the personal touches that go along with birthdays, anniversaries and yes, Valentine’s Day, nurses at Parkland Health & Hospital System are heading back to their youth by delivering handwritten cards to every patient throughout the health system. It’s the fifth year Parkland nurses have spread the love on Valentine’s Day.
The theme of this year’s event, scheduled from Feb. 9-14, is “Parkland Cares for You” and nurses plan to deliver more than 3,500 signed Valentine’s to hospitalized patients and those in Parkland’s network of community-based health centers. Signing and delivering the cards, they say, is something they look forward to in the days and weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day.
Parkland’s Professional Excellence in Nursing (PEN) Council sponsors the project and set about providing English- and Spanish-language Valentine’s for their colleagues to personalize for their patients. Parkland’s leadership also takes part in sharing their heart by signing cards.
While nurses throughout the system are busy customizing the cards, one area has gone all out to make the day even more special for patients – thousands of them. It is estimated that in the last three years the staff of Parkland’s Operating Room Prep/Recovery department has signed more than 10,000 Valentine’s cards.
“We discharge about 100 patients a week in day surgery,” said Jomie Rillera, BSN, RN, who works in Parkland’s OR Prep/Recovery department. “The cards originate in OR Prep and follows the patient to the OR, post-acute care unit (PACU) and then to recovery. It is signed by every nurse, resident, faculty and staff member who helped take care of the patient. It’s then given to the patient when they’re discharged.”
Beyond signing the cards, Rillera said some nurses write simple notes to “show the patients we truly care.”
Since the program began, James Tharp, RN, Nurse Manager for Adults at Parkland’s Garland Health Center estimates he’s handed out “hundreds” of cards.
“Even though it’s a simple card, you can tell that the patients feel the heart of the person giving out the Valentine. It’s a change in their day from just going to appointments and getting through the process to a moment of personal recognition for them. They genuinely appreciate the gesture,” said Tharp, who noted that Parkland staff thoroughly enjoys giving out the cards.
In return patients usually light up with a big smile and, on occasion, give an unexpected hug to their nurse.
“Our nurses and staff support goes beyond traditional medical care and includes the emotional needs of our patients as well. We want to take their minds off their physical problems, whether it’s an injuriy or illness, if even for a moment,” said Karen Watts, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Parkland’s Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer. “It’s a way to hopefully put a smile on their face and brighten their day.”
Some of Parkland’s nurses have taken the Valentine’s signing a step further, according to Rillera.
“We have staff who send Valentine’s to each other as well,” she said. “I remember one day our medical assistant sent all of the nurses a Valentine’s note appreciating the work we do. I will never forget that. Imagine the joy it feels to send these notes to family and friends.”
As for Nurse Manager Tharp, handing Valentine’s to his patients has inspired him to go online and schedule yearly deliveries of birthday and Valentine’s flower arrangements for his loved ones.
“Having it set up where I don’t have to remember rocks,” he said, acknowledging that it’s the thought that counts. “I haven’t missed for years now. I hope others will follow my lead. It pays off!”
For more information about services available at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhospital.com