This past February was one of the most difficult months we’ve had in a while. One week stands out as the most challenging. During that week, Taylor, Halle, Lisa, Mona, and Brandy demonstrated incredible commitment in managing a patient's complex condition.

Every day there seemed to be a new problem that required us to adapt and change our plan of care. The fact that this was done without seeming difficult or having immediate complications is a testament to the excellent training, education, and planning done by an astute team of ICU nurses who were ready to learn and work together as a team. They expertly handled these transitions between different medications to ensure the patient could undergo necessary diagnostic tests and care. This was not just a technically challenging case but an emotional one as well.

The tears in Brandy’s eyes were a reminder of the sadness of the situation as we fought to help this patient recover from their illness. It was a reminder of what this team faced in addition to the medical challenges. The nurses kept the family informed in lay terms so they understood the technical challenges and treatment plan and provided emotional support to them through the ups and downs during that week.

Watching the parents hug and attempt to comfort Mona that night showed how much they appreciated her efforts. Likewise, she was there to share her condolences and support the grieving family during the funeral.

These nurses at our hospital went above and beyond to provide the best quality of care. They also fostered a bond of trust and respect between them and the family, which ultimately helped both sides emotionally cope with the loss. They showed us that healing and consoling are an art.