We currently have a Covid 19 patient on our floor that has become very well regarded by the staff. This patient Veteran has been with us for nearly 3 weeks and has struggled the entire time. Lin was one of the many nurses who has cared for him during his long stay with us. He was frequently anxious and frightened, and it has not been unusual for our nurses to be in his isolation room for 2 or more hours at a time. The success rate for these long-termers is not good. The longer they are with us, the less likely we are to have a successful recovery. It’s something that all of us on the ICU know, but rarely speak about out loud. What makes matters worse is that sometimes we become very attached to these Veterans, which makes the situation even harder.

Yesterday we had to emergently intubate this patient. It was heartbreaking because he had struggled so long and has been improving and deteriorating frequently… one step forward, one step back. Yesterday, he just could not bounce back anymore. His anxiety was high and was completely inconsolable.

When it’s time to emergently intubate, there is a lot of work to do, and certainly, his nurse was working diligently to work fast to prepare the room. Many of the nurses on the unit kicked into action to support the team in doing what needed to be done prior to the arrival of anesthesia and all of the subsequent people to make sure the patient was intubated safely and comfortably. Lin was one of those people that kicked into action. She suited up quickly; donning the gown, protective eyewear, gloves, and N95, and prepared to go to work. However, rather than working on tubing, suction, or meds, she went straight to the patient. She was in a hurry because before he was to be intubated, she had a very specific mission in mind! Lin ran into the room, sat on the bed took his hand, and put her arm around him. She purposefully went into comfort mode softly speaking with him, calming him. The room buzzed around them. Physicians, RT, and nurses all quickly preparing and moving about the room, while Lin prepared him. She prayed with him, rocked him, and helped him relax. Her singular focus was on this man and bringing him peace. In her view, his immediate need wasn’t just oxygen, it was solace and peace, After a few minutes, he laid back and allowed the team to work on him without too much struggle. During the entire process, she stayed at his side and just held his hand, speaking calmly to him and praying with him. Soon the medications had fulfilled their purpose and he was sedated. Lin’s mission was complete! She had given him what he had been struggling for hours to attain, which was peace and comfort.

I have the privilege of working with some amazing nurses at the RJD VA ICU, and yesterday's demonstration of compassion reinforces that belief. Lin showed that a nurse can care for the body and comfort the soul simultaneously.