July 2020
Jourdan
Weiren
,
BSN, RN
E7 Progressive Care Unit
West Penn Hospital
Pittsburgh
,
PA
United States
A nurse navigator approached me today to tell me a patient's family member shared something beautiful with her... The patient, a woman in her 80's who had been married 60+ years and had never been separated from her spouse until this admission into the hospital. She was very sick and could not have her family's physical support. The patient's husband expressed that the care his wife received was wonderful and he was extremely appreciative. While he was on the phone, he was unpacking the patient's belongings and came upon a note written by this particular nurse. She reassured the patient's spouse that she cared for this patient like she was her own family member. The patient's spouse burst into tears and expressed how much it meant to him. It is moments like this one that reminds us why we become nurses. She went above and beyond not to only care for this patient when she was most vulnerable, but also to reassure her family that she was being well cared for.