Jenny (Elizabeth) has always been one of the kindest, most compassionate nurses I have ever worked with. She genuinely cares about the patients and their families. In the early morning hours of Tuesday, we had a patient admitted from an outlying hospital. When the patient was seen by the hospitalist, it was determined by the patient and her family that she would be placed on comfort care. Her daughter was present at the bedside and messaged her siblings to tell them the plan. She didn't want to call or text this information to her father, so she left the patient comfortably in Jenny's hands.
I was precepting a new nurse on the day shift that day. I walked past the patient room around 8:30 am and saw Jenny was sitting at the bedside, holding the patient's hand. I asked her if there was anything I could do for her so she could leave to go home, but she told me that she did not want the patient to be left alone while the daughter went to pick up her father. She just had a feeling that she was meant to be there with her and she wanted to be there for the patient's family when they got back to the hospital.
The patient very peacefully passed away while Jenny was sitting at the bedside. At this point, Jenny could have left to go home, but again, she didn't. She stayed with the patient until the family arrived. She consoled the family and supported them through their very difficult time. It was one of the most beautiful, selfless acts of kindness I have seen in a long time. Observing this interaction made my heart full, and my spirit lifted.
I genuinely cannot put into words the emotions and the impact Jenny must have had on that family.