During the month prior to my father's recent passing away, he had three trips to AMC, two of which resulted in lengthy stays, the last of which, was an almost two-week stay in ICU before being taken home under Hospice care. During those stays at least one of the family would stay with Dad nearly 24/7. So, during that time we received care from numerous nurses, all of whom provided great care, but for me, Heather sticks out amongst them. Her level of compassionate care went beyond the professional standard level of care, to an exceptional level.
For example, my mother relays the story that one night when she stayed overnight with Dad, Heather could tell Mom was exhausted but also didn't want to leave Dad's side, because he was being particularly restless. So Heather brought her work computer into the room so she could do her charting next to Dad's bedside and told Mom to lay down in the recliner chair and get some rest, she even used her personal cell phone and turned on soothing white noise to help Mom get a little rest.
One night when I stayed overnight with Dad, well into his almost two-week stay, Heather came in and gently told me in a little more detail what was going on with Dad's body—it was shutting down. It was news that I expected to hear at some point and Heather did it in such a way that you could tell she cared. In fact, she related it to what she had just experienced in the recent passing of her grandfather. She told me how my dad reminded her of her grandfather and I believe she cared for Dad as well as if it were her own dad or grandfather. Throughout the several shifts that Heather took care of Dad, she continuously demonstrated professionalism and excellence in her care for Dad, how she worked together with other nurses and staff, her nursing skills, and how she connected with myself and the rest of my family.
Heather was a blessing to my family and we were honored to have her care for my dad.