Alicia often goes above and beyond in her daily care of our patient's on R4. I want to recognize her for one instance where she again made a difference.

Our relationship with our AVU AVP patients is unique in that we may have several weeks to get to know the patient while they are weaning from a Ventilator. It is an extremely stressful time for the patient as they learn to trust that we will be right there beside them working with our Respiratory Therapy colleagues to provide comfort and the assistance they need to breathe. Critical thinking and acute assessment skill is required but an ability to channel the inner cheerleader, sense of humor and compassion is sometimes key to success during an extended stay. One such patient was being transferred to a Boston Rehab facility-a ride in the back of an ambulance for 2 plus hours and 2 plus hours return trip. Alicia felt strongly that an AVU Nurse should accompany the patient to facilitate his transition to the next step in his recovery.

Despite already completing her shift and tentative daycare arrangements for her young son at home Alicia wanted to be the one to accompany our patient. Our patient and his family knew that a nurse who had cared for him during his extended illness over the past months was providing a calming, confident and CARING transition "on the road" to his recovery.