My father‐in‐law was admitted to Northside through the emergency room. He’s had a ton of health issues over the last years – strokes, cancer, compression fractures, etc. Turns out this day he had pneumonia, and it also turned out he was having kidney issues, and then he tested positive for a respiratory problem that necessitated isolation protocols. Lots going wrong, lots of medicines and treatments, lots of people in and out – all compounding his existing health issues and his inability to really speak or care for himself.

On a Thursday morning at 7am, Emily came in and introduced herself as the day shift nurse (along with her EXCELLENT trainee). Emily brought energy and joy into what had been a bleak room. She was skilled at her job and was patient and deeply knowledgeable with her trainee – showing how to do things and allowing her to also gain experience doing things herself. Emily’s confidence made me feel confident in the care they were providing. She was also so engaging, making sure to really communicate with my father‐in‐law despite the cognitive and physical challenges that make that difficult even on a good day. Every word, question, and conversation they had was intentional and full of her desire for him to really understand and be informed, and for her to really understand what he wanted and needed so she could best support him. In some of his moments that were the most vulnerable, common in a hospital and in her day-to-day work, I’m sure – bed cleaning, toilet assistance, feeding, etc – she gave him more than assistance, she gave him dignity and humanity. She was kind and encouraging while also treating him with respect and agency. She asked his preferences and allowed him to try to help himself as much as he could, even though I know it slowed her rounds down and added to the work she needed to do with him. She was in the room more times in the day than I could count, and each time it felt like her only job was to be there, in his room, helping him and focusing on him. Mid to late morning, we got some updates on some labs and tests, and after speaking with the doctors, decided it was time to redirect to a home‐based hospice care. Her care for him never faltered, as she also fluidly picked up emotional care for me and my wife as we came in and out all day, dealing with those new logistics and our own feelings. She encouraged us and supported us with kind words and extra hands. She remembered tiny details about us and things he said and brought them up later in the day like an old friend.

In some hospital management office or board room, when the word “nurse” is mentioned, I’m sure there is a certain idealized persona or image that pops into folks’ minds. I can tell you that persona is a real, hardworking person, caring for patients and families and exuding care, love, respect, and dignity for each person, one at a time, making their day that much brighter and more hopeful and healthful. Her name is Emily, and at least on that day, you could find her in my father-in-law’s room on the 3rd floor of Northside Atlanta. She was a blessing sent to my family just at the moment we needed it most.