Cole Vinyard, RN was nominated by a charge nurse on his unit who witnessed a beautiful act of compassion.

We had a patient admitted with a mass which had been biopsied and was awaiting results. When I first met him he was telling me how afraid he was of needles and the hospital. It turned out that he even dreaded being stuck on the finger for a glucose check. He only came to the hospital because the pain became unbearable.

Saturday, his biopsy results came back and it was cancer. Upon hearing the news, the patient broke down and cried. He was fearful about his future. He told me the doctors informed him that the cancer was treatable, but wasn't sure what kind of treatment. When I made my morning assignments, I decided that Cole was the perfect nurse for him. After Cole's shift was over, I saw the patient and Cole just having a wonderful conversation. Curious about what the patient was so interested in, I entered the room. It turns out that Cole brought his Indian arrowhead collection for the patient to see. The patient seemed so happy and just for that moment his cancer diagnosis was not keeping him scared or sad. It is so refreshing to see a nurse take time after work and just be there for a patient. I wish you could have seen the interest and the smile that Cole brought to this patient. It would have brought tears to your eyes.

Cole ended up giving the patient the very first arrowhead he collected. This is just one example of how Cole treats his patients with compassion.