Haley was my morning nurse on the third day of my hospital stay. I was unsure what was wrong with me, and my anxiety was beginning to mount. Haley immediately sensed this anxiety and approached me with compassion taking the time to explain my labs to me while kindly rubbing my feet and reassuring me – then she noticed my tattoo. It is a memorial for my goddaughter who took her life two years ago this month. Her name was the same as Haley's. After asking all about the semicolon and noticing her name was spelled the same (this is rare) she asked if she could share with me. I said of course. She said working on this floor was new to her and she had requested it based on her gut but not really knowing why. She said she figured the reason would be clear in time and after seeing my butterfly the reason was clear to her. She was meant to be here to comfort me and remind me that my goddaughter was by my side.

The comfort this brought to me cannot be measured. I cried like a baby and Haley asked permission to give me a hug. She then gave me the warmest most sincere hug I have ever received. The remainder of care during my stay was timely, patient-centered, and delivered with the same compassion she initially showed. In a world where “the art of empathizing” is slowly dying it is easy to feel like “just another patient”. Haley restored my faith in humanity by sharing her story and offering me the exact support I needed during my stay. Whether you believe in signs or not her compassion and love of her craft shined brightly.