Elizabeth Rendall, RN

I would like to nominate Libby for her extraordinary compassion and support she offered to the friends and caregivers of a patient who had lost his battle with colon cancer at a young age. Libby was assigned this patient during the last few days of his life. When I arrived on the unit in the morning, Libby found me and immediately began advocating for the patient and his caregivers at bedside. She gave me a thorough rundown of the events that transpired over the last few days. This was not Libby's only patient, and this patient needed a lot of attention regarding symptom management. Every time that I came to the unit to check on the patient, Libby was in the patient's room either attending to the patient's needs or the caregivers' concerns. She never once rushed through any interaction and always gave her undivided attention to the patient. It was evident to me that the family had unwavering trust in Libby and would look at her when things were discussed, as if to silently ask, "Do you agree?" She took as much time with the patient and the caregivers as they needed, not the amount of time she had based on her assignment or other patient needs. The patient's family truly felt as though their loved one was Libby's only patient. Later that evening after the day shift had left, the patient's caregiver sent me a message saying, "I really wish Libby was here". Not because she was unsatisfied with the care the night shift was providing the patient, but because Libby gave the family a sense of calm and advocacy that every patient's family deserves, in what is arguably the hardest time in their lives. The moments surrounding the loss of a loved one stay with friends and families forever. In the midst of grief, the compassionate care that was provided will also stay with them. I know that this family will always look at Libby as the hero who got them through this difficult time. She is an exceptional nurse, and I thank her for being the advocate every person deserves. Beebe is very lucky to have her!"