Our patient was an extremely premature infant whom we had done everything we could for, but she was not going to make it. The parents of the infant wanted her to be baptized before we disconnected her from the ventilator, so the NNP and I did this for them. Lauren stood with the mom the entire time, praying over her and providing her comfort when she needed it.

After everything was finished and the patient passed, I asked Lauren if she wanted to help me with postmortem care or if she needed a break. She told me that she wanted to help. I instructed her on what to do, and together we cleaned the baby up and made her ready for her parents. As we did so, I could hear her praying for our patient and her parents and see her crying with me. When we were finished, we brought the baby out to her parents’ room. Lauren and I stayed with them and made sure we were there when they needed us throughout the day.

When it was time to bring the baby down to the funeral home car, Lauren stayed with me, and together we brought her down with her parents. Again, Lauren stood by the mom, rubbing her shoulder and providing her the comfort she needed. This was a very difficult day for Laure,n and something I never want my students to experience. But Lauren handled it with grace and compassion, and I know she will carry this into her nursing practice. She made a very meaningful nurse-patient connection not only with our patient but also with her mom and dad. She is an amazing example of a truly great nurse.