There was a patient who had been under our care for an extended period of time who had provided challenges from both the physical care needed as well as the emotional and spiritual care that was needed. This individual's behavior could be described as abusive towards the nursing staff. Over the weeks, Cathy taught by example. She respected and honored the patient's discomfort. She worked to help other nurses on the floor understand the patient's situation and work through their own emotional responses.
When the time came to transfer the patient to another facility, Cathy accompanied the patient to the new facility to talk with the staff directly about the needs of the patient and how best to manage the challenging behaviors. The patient was provided comfort by having Cathy accompany him.