Bethany David and Shelly Henson displayed such a beautiful act of compassion that it deserves to be shared. There was a patient in 7sicu who was very sick. Little did we know at the time of transfer, this patient's wife was also very sick in the hospital. This couple had an only child, who was struggling to find places to sleep, was having to run back in forth between units to visit and help with physician plans. Nursing spoke with the critical care team who spoke with the transfer center and was able to the wife a bed in 7sicu (the husband could not be transferred due to a device requiring a certain competency). Neither outcome was good and the son needed to decide on goals on care.

Once goals of care were finalized and with the anticipation that both patients would pass quickly, nursing, with respiratory support, was able to get the wife into the husband's room. The patients (husband and wife), were able to be extubated at the same time and they were able to pass away together, peacefully, while holding hands. This act of kindness and compassion helped provide peace for the son and it was truly empowering to witness. When you sign up to be an ICU nurse, witnessing death is inevitable, but to be able to advocate for a patient and for their family and provide the most dignified death that you can is the most rewarding way that we can serve these patients in their final moments.