I have worked alongside Megan in the Emergency Department for the past year and a half. In the time I have worked with her, I have seen her display exceptional nursing care and incredible compassion. I was personally inspired to become a nurse after my own experience with the passing of a family member, and the impact that the nurse had on myself and my family has always stayed warm in our hearts. Because of this experience, I understand the incredible impact a nurse can have on a patient and family, especially under devastating circumstances.

I recently saw Megan display this compassion and care that goes above and beyond when she cared for a friend of mine. A close friend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in his early 30s, and during his time undergoing treatment, found himself in the ED numerous times. His wife expressed to me multiple occasions where Megan's actions made a positive impact on his care, as well as provided happy memories during frightening ED visits. This patient was in the ED seven times in a 5-month time period. Although Megan was not always his primary nurse, she would make a point to check in on him if he was there while she was working. The patient's wife told me that "on more than one occasion she came to check on him. I remember initially being surprised she remembered him and even me, let alone remembered details of his diagnosis and treatment. It was rare for us to see the same nurse twice and definitely rare for someone to check up on us like that, in addition to caring for all her own patients."

The patient's wife also mentioned to me a time when they became uneasy about his port being accessed in the ED, due to the increased risk of infection. The patient didn't want to "be a pain" or complain, so they would just request IV placement instead of having the port accessed. His wife said that when Megan realized this "she was adamant that we should never feel uncomfortable voicing concerns regarding any part of his care," and she then took steps to ensure that the department would be better educated on the care and prevention of infection with handling ports. She also added that "Megan was more concerned than we were and that made us feel so much more comfortable about his care from then on."

At this patient's funeral, his wife told me that she would never forget Megan, and how her compassion and care made an incredible impact on their experience in the ED. Megan is a prime example of how big of an impact nurses can make on patient and their families, even through the smallest interactions. Megan cares for each and every patient as if they were her own family, and this kind of compassionate and empathetic nursing care is exactly what the healthcare profession and the Riverside ED need.