Cara was my father's nurse. I'm not sure how many days she actually had my father, but it felt like I saw her every day. Cara was easy to recognize because she always went out of her way to come into my father's room to update me on the latest news once, I arrived. I feel like Cara saw my dad as a person and not just another patient she had to deal with. My father came in with multiple things that required a lot of cares, but Cara never seemed to mind. My father always looked clean and well-groomed, thanks to not only Cara but the entire unit. He had received a nice haircut and shave. Cara was timely with her turns and medication for my father to keep him comfortable. Cara was always available to answer any questions I had and provided helpful resources for me. My grandma, who spent all day, every day with my father in his room loved Cara. She would always comment on how she was attentive and patient with my father, whether it was transferring him or helping him order his meals, and she offered a lot of encouragement.

What really stood out to me was when my father became confused. Cara spoke to him on his level and offered explanations and patience. She offered him fidgets and other alternatives before requesting my dad have a sitter to keep himself safe. I felt better when visiting hours were over, knowing that Cara would be there with my father.

Unfortunately, my father passed a couple of days ago in a different unit. Even though Cara and the other staff knew it was a grim diagnosis, I appreciate them keeping our hopes, respecting my dad's autonomy, and offering PT and OT to him. I can tell Cara will go far in her nursing career. Not only is she knowledgeable, but I can tell she has so much compassion and is the perfect example of a nurse. My father is just one of hundreds of patients Cara will one day accumulate, but she will always be the one nurse that I remember from my father's time in UW hospital.