A patient came in the late afternoon/early evening to the admissions desk on the second floor, explaining they were checking in for surgery the following morning. Even with the Pre-Admissions instructions for arrival time, the family arrived the evening prior and expected to stay overnight at the hospital because, in their experience, that is what you do. They were advised that is not our practice and would need to go to a nearby hotel and return the following morning, but they stated they had no money for a hotel room or food.
Our nurse overheard and realized that their life experiences were not the same as our typical patient population. Nirvana took it upon herself to not only have this family follow her to a hotel, but she paid for their overnight stay! When reimbursement was offered to our nurse, she declined, saying, "In my past, I have had the experience of being very poor and so many people along the way have helped me so I can be in the career I have today. This is my way of paying back - to someone who needs help at the moment."
What a positive impression Nirvana had to have made on this patient and family! So very proud of you for being so caring!