I received a call from my social worker in the ED after having a conversation with Jessica about an older gentleman who arrived post CPR in the ED. Jessica remembering him quite well from a previous admission, was to take care of him. She was quite concerned over his physical condition, which in her estimation had declined severely since last he was here. Jessica alerted the social worker who called me to come over and talk to Jessica as she wanted to call the state and report neglect on this gentleman. At the social worker's urging, she suggested she call me and discuss her concerns and perhaps place a call to the facility to better understand how this gentleman's condition had come to what she was seeing in the ED.

I did go over and assess the patient with her, allowed her to tell me her concerns and the difference she saw in this gentleman's condition. I was struck by how gentle and kind she was to him, as if he was her own family member. She spoke kindly to him, telling him why she was moving him despite him looking straight up at the ceiling. She covered him up and told him it was going to be okay. I stopped by the room this patient was in to find him all washed and cleaned up, mouth sparkling, ears cleaned out, hair put into place and very comfortably surrounded by warm blankets.

What is most incredible to me is that Jessica acted as if he was her only patient in a very busy ED that day and she had with her a student, who will never forget this experience that personally touched her as well.

What a true demonstration of what is at the core of being a nurse and it was not the tasks that made Jessica extraordinary that day, but the heart she demonstrated by providing comfort and care, and speaking on behalf of this patient who did not have a voice.