On an early June afternoon, a patient was sitting on a bench seat at the visitor elevator on the 7th floor Med-Surg Unit in her gown with an IV pump in one hand and a phone in the other. She was crying and visibly distraught.

As Debbie approached she ended her conversation stating, "I have to go, Mom, my nurse is here." Debbie sat down next to her, put her arm around her and asked her if she was OK. She and the young girl sat huddled together on the bench. Debbie asked her what was wrong and the young woman explained she "just wanted to go home". She continued to cry and shake visibly as Debbie gently explained in simple terms the reasons she needed to stay one more day. Debbie explained to her in way the patient could understand why staying was so important for her continued recovery. The young woman's crying began to subside and she leaned up against Debbie while she listened to her.

Still huddled on the bench together, Debbie continued to gently explain some different ways she might pass the time to help her feel better. Together, they decided to go back to the patient's room where Debbie would give the young woman some medication for discomfort and then the young woman could rest until her mother arrived with some puzzles and magazines.

With her arm still around the young woman, Debbie escorted the patient back to her room, both of them still talking.

This moment and this connection between nurse and patient, is a reminder to us all of the reason we are in Healthcare, for the best patient care possible. Debbie's ability to zero in and calm a patient in distress was second nature to her.

Thank you, Debbie, for your demonstration of empathy and for caring to make a difference for our patients.