This patient truly had an impact on her and her desire to sit and be with this patient and his wife was very genuine. It was meaningful for both of them. Just as a side note, this was the second person she sat with after her shift. She is an RN in the TCU. She clocked out at the end of her shift at 7:30 p.m. We have another patient and son that have been with us for an extended stay. The patient's son is very dedicated to his mother's care and is with her most of the day, and when at home, he is her primary 24-hour caregiver. On that evening I heard him talking in his mom's room and I wondered whom he was talking with since it had been quite a long conversation. I knew he was the only visitor, so I assumed it was a staff member. When I popped my head in right around 9 pm to say good night, he asked me to come in and told me that Cynthia had stayed to chat with him. He appreciated the conversation and the company. When Cynthia and I walked to the station together she told me that he seemed lonely and she recognized all he does for his mom so she wanted to keep him company. I told her I appreciated her doing that for them. It was after this that she went in to say goodnight to Mr. _ and his wife. As described in the wife's letter, she was in there with him until well after 11 pm. She is a very dedicated and caring RN and demonstrates compassion in her work. It's for this that I think she is a true DAISY Nurse.

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This is what caring in the TCU looks like. When [patient]'s morphine drip was initiated, every nurse on the shift came into the room. Initially, I thought it was opioid reconciliation taken to the extreme - until I realized this was his honor guard - accompanying my beloved to the next phase of his care. They stayed to listen to and share stories about [patient]. [Patient]’s last rally came on the night when our daughter-equivalent stopped by to take me out to dinner. After several attempts to rouse [patient], just as we were about to leave he started telling stories. The nurse in the photo poked her head in to say goodnight and I invited her in to wish [patient] goodnight. Two hours later, she was still holding his hand, [patient] told her she needed to go home and get some rest. [Patient] wanted to keep doing what he did best - tell stories. And he did until he just couldn't tell another. He was laughing and occasionally crying. But mostly laughing. It was a remarkable, perfect night. Rallying so that he could keep his audience from leaving. A close friend summed up my beloved’s impact perfectly, He was impossible and irreplaceable. Remember [patient] fondly - and hold those dear to you just a little closer tonight.