A kind nurse goes into work on her days off to do patients’ hair to keep them upbeat on tough days.
Brooke Johns, 40, works at Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas, but also has a talent for haircare and pampering.
In January this year, a friend was hospitalised for three weeks, but couldn’t have any visitors due to restrictions – apart from Brooke, because she worked there.
Mum-of-three Brooke gave her a 90 minute pampering session – and when she noticed how much it lifted her pal, she vowed to do it for other patients too.
Now she heads into the wards on her days off, usually every other week.
The registered nurse offers to brush and braid their hair, or if it’s too short, just gives them a head massage.
Brooke, from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA said: “I haven’t had one patient be upset about having their hair braided – they really are different when I leave.
“Life is hard, this is a small luxury that they aren’t expecting.”
Brooke became a nurse after she sadly lost her daughter in late 2014, and was inspired by the care and support she received.
She graduated from the College of Southern Nevada with a nursing degree in December 2018, and was hired at Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center.
In January this year, a friend became ill and was hospitalised for three weeks, and due to COVID restrictions meaning she couldn’t have loved ones see her, she became lonely.
“Because she was too weak to care for her own hair, I asked if she would like me to brush out and braid her hair – her answer was a resounding yes,” she said.
“She was smiling and interacting, I saw the power of human connection in real time,” the mum-of-three said.
“I then thought, if my friend benefited to much from this human touch and connection, I bet there is a hospital full of people that would benefit.”
Speaking of her regular off duty visits she said: “I talk about them; what brought them to the hospital, their family, if they live in Las Vegas.
“People have shared some pretty fantastic stories with me over these last few months.
“As a nurse, I see people on their worst days.
“They are scared, in pain, grieving and I get to be there to help treat them or their family, and to let them know that they have someone watching over them.
“I get to comfort them. It’s a privilege.”
Her selflessness has even inspired others, and two other nurses now regularly join Brooke.
She said: “The motto I live by is ‘leave each day a little better’, I say this to myself every day before my feet hit the floor.
“Therefore I have made the decision that if there is ever something that I have the power to do, that makes someone feel significant, valued, and loved, I’ll do it.”
