Shelley and I recently took care of a man on comfort care. He was a lonely old guy, somewhat grumpy. Shelley took him under her wing. She rolled him outside to smoke (his "dying wish"). They identified and picked flowers together. She took his shirts home and washed them for him. She advocated for him each day.
On his final day, he took a sudden turn for the worse. Shelley got family on the phone, calmly explained what was happening and held the phone to his ear as they said their goodbyes. She pulled up a chair and held his hand until he passed.
Shelley embodies what is beautiful about nursing. Kindness, recognizing the human under the gown, respect, advocacy, and a healing heart.
I want her and everyone around her to celebrate the amazing nurse and beautiful human that she is. I would want her to care for my family, my friends, for me.