Emergency Room nurses do not hesitate when called to jump into action when caring for critically injured patients. They accept the unexpected with a strong conviction for doing what they love to do. They save lives. While saving lives, they do it with confidence, integrity, mercy, compassion, and resiliency. These statements were never more evident and truer than on one afternoon. I witnessed nurses from our department support our patients who presented after a building explosion at a nearby nursing home.

Yes, it was easy to see they knew exactly what they needed to do and how to do it, but what stood out more clearly than anything else that day was their empathy and compassion. Patients presented with significant injuries requiring multiple disciplines to assist in getting them the care they needed. I heard ED nurses and ED techs offer simple words of reassurance, care, kindness, and concern. I witnessed an elderly patient tell her nurse, "I am so afraid." The nurse looked her patient's eyes directly, and I heard the nurse tell her she was going to take good care of her. Instantly, I saw the relief on the patient's face.

I heard nurses explain to patients why they had to move them when assessing their injuries, and explain that they would give them something to help with their pain. I heard them request pain management from the physicians caring for the injured. And I heard reassurance in their voices as they explained complicated medical interventions to frightened patients. On an afternoon filled with fear, sadness, and pain, our emergency room staff did not hesitate for one second. They displayed the true characteristics of ED nurses: clinically knowledgeable and strong, resilient, and quick thinking. With that said, the characteristic that stood out the most this afternoon was their true compassion for elderly patients who were thrown into chaos. I think I can speak for many who witnessed the events; they did it well, very well. We are all grateful!