When I come to work and see Sam on the schedule, I know that my day will be great. Sam is an exemplary nurse and a great resource for all of our staff. She shows her leadership and commitment to the Emergency Department in one major way: with deep love and gratitude.
On Thanksgiving, a day where it is hard to be away from family, Sam treated one patient just like she would treat her own family member. A difficult patient presented to the ED and was placed in Sam's assignment. I personally placed this patient in Sam's assignment, because I knew this patient needed Sam's love and attention. For almost five hours, Sam stayed with this patient, built a relationship with the patient and made a connection with this patient that no one else in the department could. Sam only left the patient's bedside when it was necessary but would promptly return to attend to the patient's needs. It was Sam's commitment, love, and dedication that this patient needed, and Sam advocated for this patient every step of the way. She had the patient's best interest at heart and would stop at nothing to protect that. The patient repeatedly said that no one would remember her, and no one cared for her, but Sam replied, "I do care about you, I will remember you," and she meant it. Sam supported this patient in ways that most of us have a hard time with and did it with grace.
This is only one of the many instances that I can explain what an amazing nurse Sam is. She puts her heart and soul into every single patient she takes care of and it shows. If we could all be nurses like Sam, the world would be a better place.