Sometimes it's the little things, sometimes it's the big things. With Rose, it was both. Rose was my nurse for 2 days in the ICU and she went above and beyond in every conceivable way, big and small. And remained a bubbly, smiling presence, from morning until night. She noticed that the Ensure the nutritionist had promised was not on my tray and immediately had it sent up.

When she noticed me drinking juice she gently suggested something else because my sugar was high, something I'd never experienced before. The medication made me pee often, about every 45 minutes. Each time she had to untether me from a half dozen devices and then reattach me. Not once did she make me feel like a bother, in fact when a coworker let her know I had to go again she said cheerfully, "It's OK, she pees a lot; I'll be right there," without a trace of annoyance. It may sound trivial but it made me feel safe and truly cared for.

Rose found ways to exceed expectations until the very end of my visit. While doing my discharge paperwork she noticed a duplicate script that would have caused confusion and necessitated a bunch of calls to figure out. She made sure that I completely understood every aspect of my discharge by writing helpful notes on the margins in case I forgot. Even after I was discharged and no longer her responsibility Rose continued to nurture and provide care.

As we were getting on the elevator she slipped in with a smile and said she wanted to make sure we found our way. I wasn’t at all surprised to learn she comes from a family of healers, caring for others seems as natural to her as breathing. When I remarked on her unfailing good humor she said, "I've learned here that you never know what's going to happen tomorrow. I'd hate it if anyone's last memory of me was a negative one." Everyone deserves a nurse like Rose.