Melissa Lay is a perfect example of a caring, compassionate nurse. She takes superb care of her patients even when SICU is short of staff. She does not let this interfere with the outstanding care she provides to each patient.

On one day in particular, I witnessed her show such compassion for a patient that was recently given a terminal diagnosis that he did not wish to share with his family. He was very anxious and scared because he knew his prognosis was poor at best. This patient was not doing well on this day and was very frightened because he was facing being intubated.

Melissa, even though she had two other very sick patients, took the time to sit at this man's bedside and hold his hand while reassuring him until his family could arrive. At that moment in time, she made him feel like he was the most important person in the unit.

I am positive that the compassion that Melissa showed this man gave him comfort in knowing that he was not being judged and that someone truly cared for him.