One day I started my shift as the NOC Charge Nurse. Sara started her shift at 1900. At the change of shift, it was brought to my attention that a patient wasn't "doing well". As the Charge Nurse and the nurse who had the patient the night before I went into the room to assess the situation. The patient had a very extensive cardiac history and was a surgical hip repair (hip hemiarthroplasty). The night before, when I cared for this patient it was determined via the hospitalist and the patient, she was a Do Not Resuscitate. The plan of care was to keep her comfortable per the patient's wishes. Sara, having no knowledge of this made the proper phone calls and was quickly made aware of this patient's outcome when the hospitalist came up to see the patient. The patient was very anxious and was short of breath and diaphoretic. It was determined she was having an MI. The hospitalist stated to give the patient both Dilaudid and Ativan IV to calm and relax the patient. I had talked with Sara, and in fact, the patient was dying and it was nothing she did, it was the disease that was going to be her demise. After realizing what was in store for this patient, Sara made it a point for the next 8 hours, to be at the patient's bedside whenever she could while still caring for her other 5 patients. She continued to medicate her and keep her comfortable. After looking and seeing that the patient had no family or friends nearby Sara took it upon herself to be with the patient. She was going to be there for her patient. She said nothing to anyone working about this, not even me. I observed Sara sitting at the patient's bedside often. She continued to provide exceptional care for her other patients. She would attend to their needs and then go back to be with the patient at her bedside. She assured the patient, so she knew she was not alone.
Sara exemplified exactly what nursing is all about, the patient. She put her patient's needs above herself and with pure selflessness, she attempted to be there for her patient when she passed away so as not to be alone. Thank you, Sara, for doing what we all went to nursing school for but sometimes forget.