“Gentle, attentive, enthusiastic, and always ready to help both patients and colleagues” are the words that everyone often uses to describe Nguyen Thi Thuy Van, a chief nurse of the Congenital and Structural Heart Disease Department of the Da Nang Hospital.

Chief nurse Nguyen Thi Thuy Van (left) checking on a patient's health

For nearly 25 years, Thuy Van has always upheld her responsibility of a healthcare worker, never shying away from difficulties and hardships, wholeheartedly serving and caring for patients, and diligently guiding her colleagues to well fulfill their duties.

Thuy Van explains that unlike other departments, the Congenital and Structural Heart Disease Department has both child and elderly patients, many of whom are in severe condition and have a high risk of mortality.

Therefore, the role of the chief nurse is crucial, requiring an understanding of the disease’s progression to inform doctors and appropriately assign tasks to the nursing staff.

She proactively ensures a sufficient supply of medication each month to maintain the department’s smooth operations, assigns tasks to nurses based on their capabilities, and regularly motivates and encourages colleagues to maximise their potential.

Particularly in her professional demeanor, she is always approachable, genuinely supportive, and gentle with patients during medical treatment and care.

Constantly learning from friends and colleagues, improving her professional skills and ethics, Thuy Van continues to advance her studies in specialised nursing. With relentless efforts, she was appointed Chief Nurse of the Congenital and Structural Heart Disease Department in 2019 at the age of 41.

Since her appointment, although she does not directly treat patients, she regularly checks and supervises the work of the nursing staff. For new nurses, she meticulously guides them on effective work methods and necessary professional skills.

To achieve high treatment efficacy and improve health care awareness, she also directly plans menus and advises on scientific, disease-appropriate diets for patients during and after treatment.

In addition to her professional development, Van has actively participated in congenital heart disease screenings for children in the Central and Central Highlands regions for over 10 years. Every year, from 50,000 - 100,000 children undergo free screening tests for the early detection of congenital heart complaints.

As a hospital known for high-quality treatment in the Central and Central Highlands regions, the Da Nang Hospital sees a large number of patients, many of whom face economic difficulties.To provide financial support for patients, Thuy Van has successfully coordinated social charity organisations, and mobilised generous benefactors to aid nearly 200 disadvantaged patients each year, including ethnic minorities in remote areas.

Van shares that all patients coming to the hospital are in pain, but heart disease patients, especially young ones, are "special." These patients face significant psychological trauma and life-threatening risks. To heal these "broken" hearts, modern medicine alone is not enough, it requires compassion, care, understanding, and empathy.

Countless stories and sleepless nights alongside colleagues, fighting to save lives moment by moment, are etched in her memory, bringing both concern and happiness.

One notable case is that of patient Ng.Th.L.L., born in 1992, residing in Son Tra District. The patient was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with heart disease. The treatment was already complex, and it became even more challenging when it was discovered that the patient was 20 weeks pregnant. Both the team of doctors and the nursing staff of the Department had to "struggle" with both the patient's condition and their own emotions to devise the optimal treatment plan.

Thuy Van not only performed her professional duties but also provided constant spiritual encouragement and emotional support, becoming a pillar of strength for the patient.

After nearly five months of treatment, the patient successfully gave birth to a healthy baby, bringing immense joy to her family and the Department.

Despite the hardships, Van and her colleagues always maintain optimism. This optimism not only gives them the confidence, strength, and passion to dedicate themselves to their profession but also serves as a spiritual support and motivation for patients to overcome their challenges and well recover, which reassures patients' families and strengthens society's trust.

In addition to her professional responsibilities, Thuy Van gets involved in teaching, training, and guiding nurses in the department to perform their duties systematically, and effectively, and especially supporting new nurses and nursing students sent by various schools.

With her great efforts and dedication, Thuy Van has been recognised as an exemplary worker for many years and has received Certificate of Merit from the Director of the Department of Health. Also, she was honoured with the "Shining White Blouse" award in 2023 by Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee.

With all the love and responsibility of a chief nurse and the inherent flow of silent sacrifice in her heart, Thuy Van always gives her affection to patients in the most gentle and respectful way.

She always keeps in mind to give her all for patients, colleagues, and everyone as much as she can without expecting anything in return, except for the true recovery of the patients' heartbeats.

Reporting by M.LINH - B.LAM - Translating by T. VY