A gravely ill patient came to the Emergency Department one day. Veronica, our Director of Nursing, had worked many years with this patient, up until the patient retired. Veronica stayed by her side until her family arrived. She spoke words of comfort as well as remembrances of days passed. She laughed and cried with the patient until efforts to keep her alive were no longer viable. Veronica stayed with her, soothing her, while her family gathered around.
Veronica simply did what any devoted nurse would do. It's so very lovely to imagine that the nurses we call family in our home away from home would help us find solace in our last moments. Veronica did just that.