Emily Buckingham, RN, BSN

I met Emily that morning and soon found out that I would be chemically sedated and mechanically ventilated for a period of time. It was a busy shift for Emily. I could see it in her purposeful, focused pace. The stride, the eyes forward, the efficiency, and the intensity. I've been there, I know that look. Yet, Emily stopped and took the time to have some meaningful conversation with me regarding my care over the next 48-72 hours. We even discussed a few specific hand gestures, etc. that we might use to communicate. What she may not have realized, I was looking for hesitation in her voice, a twitch of her eyebrow, or a pause in her response that might indicate weakness or uncertainty. What I found was an exceptionally strong, compassionate nurse who left me with no doubt that she could and would be the nurse that I needed her to be at any point during this uncertain time.