I went up to the 5th floor to ask Natacha Nelson a question about a patient and found her in a room with the family of an apparently incredibly ill patient. I waited outside so as not to disturb an obviously difficult situation. Natacha was embracing the daughter; the daughter was sobbing, and Natacha was rocking her and telling her that it was going to be alright. Natacha stayed with her until she calmed down, alternating speaking to her in a calm, soothing voice and hugging her. The woman was obviously in need of some compassion and human contact. For the time that the daughter needed Natacha, Natacha gave her full, undivided attention. She never acted too busy to be in that moment with that daughter. The only reason Natacha left that room was to call the chaplain for the daughter.
I later heard that Natacha had offered to come to work yesterday; she was not originally scheduled. I believe that Natacha was meant to be that patient's nurse and that woman's angel yesterday.
Natacha's interaction is the epitome of nursing- compassion, and kindness towards someone in need. I have been a nurse for almost 20 years, and it is not often that I am completely moved by an interaction between a nurse and a patient. Natacha was not just a nurse yesterday; she was someone's angel.