Tess is an amazing nurse. She is 1+ years into her nursing career and has natural intuition and communication skills. 9 Center had a particularly difficult patient. The patient and family needed a significant amount of emotional support and redirection from staff. Many of the staff on the unit were tiring from their interactions, as the patient had been with us for just shy of a month.

The patient needed a diagnostic test at another facility, because it was not offered at MCHS. Tess worked hard the day before the test to ensure that all details were planned for. Transportation back and forth, possible pain medication needed, and just the emotional support and explanation for the patient needed. Tess even said, "I think someone needs to accompany the patient, how could we make that work?" Tess had a very good rapport with the patient and the family. They trusted her, and Tess was able to keep the patient more calm than most. Tess offered to go along, staffing was rearranged, to accommodate this patient.

The following day, Tess punched in early, finalized plans, and accompanied the patient across town via ambulance to ensure the test was completed, but most of all to ensure the patient was comfortable and calm. The morning did have a few glitches, but Tess was able to gently and calmly speak to the patient, stroked her head at times and maintained a presence for the patient.

The test and a definitive diagnosis for the patient would not have occurred without Tess' flexibility, kindness and grace.