Gaige was assigned to a patient on the postpartum unit that the nurses reported very negative things about. The patient had made some bad decisions for herself and for her baby. The nurses were rightfully distraught over the situation. They told the students that the patient was "mean" and to just ignore her if she was ugly to them.
Gaige took this difficult patient assignment cheerfully and saw it as a challenge. He went in and immediately established rapport with the patient. He treated her with respect and gave incredible, non-judgmental care. The patient really connected with him and even shared things with him that the nurses had a hard time uncovering. Gaige not only gave excellent nursing care, but he also showed what it means to care for the whole person.
This story is not unique for Gaige. He is constantly looking for ways to encourage his patients, his peers, and his faculty. He is a wonderful example to nurses everywhere.