SAINTS Gala 2025: A ‘beautiful profession’: Sharing moments of exceptional care from nurse turned patient at Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital
“Can I be your nurse today?” Those words came as a comforting surprise to Jen Paulson as she awaited one of the most uncertain days of her life. As a nurse for 22 years at St. Vincent, she knows the role well.
That morning she was preparing for a double mastectomy surgery after an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis. As a nurse leader, she has helped train, mentor and walk alongside hundreds of nurses and thousands of patients on days like these. Being in the patient’s shoes gave her a greater appreciation for her friends and fellow nurses and the exceptional work they do every day.
It was Brenda Saling who asked the compassionate question that morning, if she could have the privilege to care for Paulson. Saling, having gone through her own cancer journey, was uniquely suited to support her patient. As a fellow nurse, she knew the questions and emotions swirling in Paulson’s head and heart.
“She saw my name and knew who I was,” said Paulson. “She was so genuine and compassionate. She saw a need and responded.”
“It was pretty special,” said Saling, about the opportunity to be Paulson’s nurse. “I have admired Jen and her strength as a leader. She was vulnerable at that time, and I wanted to be a friend and provide the best care for her.”
After being prepped for surgery, she saw another familiar face, Maddie Zeggai, an operating room nurse who Paulson had managed and mentored previously. While she was unable to be in the room during the procedure, Zeggai made sure to meet Paulson and walk her into the operating room to make her feel comfortable and reassured, holding her hand while she was intubated.
"It probably was only 10 or 15 minutes out of her day, but it's something that I will honestly remember for the rest of my life," Paulson said. "It changed the experience for me dramatically."
Because of the impact she made, Paulson nominated Zeggai for a DAISY award, given to exceptional nurses. Zeggai admits that she doesn’t like being the center of attention, but she was so honored to receive the recognition. “Jen is an amazing nurse, mother, and wife,” she said. “To have the recognition come from her, meant a lot.”
Unfortunately, Paulson would find herself back at the hospital six months later and again was blown away by the excellence in nursing care she experienced during several days in the hospital.
“When I was in the hospital, my nurses took time to introduce themselves, communicate what was going on, and made me feel comfortable and safe. I am brought to tears when I think about how they cared for me," she said. “Our nurses are special because they are truly committed to our patients and our teams. We want our patients to have the best possible experience and the best possible outcomes.”
Through her journey, Paulson gained a renewed appreciation for the everyday moments that define the exceptional nursing care she experienced. Now in recovery and back on the floor, Paulson’s experience has reinforced the messages she shares with her nurses to inspire them.
Paulson also hopes, by sharing her story, and gratitude, that it serves as a reminder to her nurses and our community of the sacredness of the nursing profession and the essential role they play.
“I'm just one person. I know there are so many patients who have similar stories,” she said. “I want our nurses to hold onto that and to be so proud of the work that they do. This is too beautiful of a profession to not understand what remarkable work you're doing.”
Set sail for an unforgettable evening at this year's SAINTS Ball: Anchors Away on Saturday, October 3 at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center. Our community will celebrate the extraordinary caregivers and patients of St. Vincent Regional Hospital while raising vital support for nursing excellence.
This special evening will shine a spotlight on the dedicated nursing professionals who help our patients chart a course to recovery every day. Attendees will enjoy an exciting night of inspiration, community, fundraising, and live music from Yachty by Nature. For more information visit: https://saintsball2026.givesmart.com/