Last week, Linda was precepting me and we were taking care of a hospice patient who was actively dying but holding on for something and there was not any family with her. She was here on hospice for about two weeks. Right now, because I am a new nurse, it seems like nursing is just a list of tasks I need to complete. Linda helped to show me what nursing was all about.

We went into the room to check on the patient. Linda sat down next to the bed and began to talk with her (she was non- verbal and barely responsive to touch). She talked to her about how she lead a good life (she was 98 years old), what a great job she did with her beautiful family, how she should be proud for raising a great family, and how she should not be scared. Linda continued to talk to her and rub her arm/shoulder. There was a bible in the room and Linda began to read scriptures to her. We were in the room for about 30 minutes. We made sure she was comfortable before leaving. We continued to check on her throughout the evening. It was about 4:30 AM when we went back into her room to sit with her for a little while. We were going to give her some morphine for agitation and Linda began to talk to her and rub her shoulder offering comfort. We sat with her for about 15 minutes when she finally took two more breaths before passing.

I was amazed at the care Linda provided. That is what nursing is really about. It is not about the tasks (which yes are important) but about being there emotionally for your patients. I hope to one day be as great of a nurse as Linda.