I was getting report from another nurse after a very busy shift when I was made aware of a patient's family's predicament. A new onset psychiatric patient had driven himself and his family to the emergency department from about 45 minutes away to obtain help for this frightening and overwhelming situation they were finding themselves in. The patient and his family had a language barrier as they were Spanish speaking only, and the elementary aged child had some developmental delays. The wife did not have a driver's license, nor did she know how to drive. The patient was up for transfer to another hospital and the wife was distraught trying to figure out how she would get herself and her child home; they didn't have friends or family in the area or any support system to give them a ride back, and did not have resources to stay in the area.

Jami overheard this predicament and kindly offered to transport the patient as she "had to drive that way anyway." Both the patient and his wife were completely overwhelmed and confounded that someone would be so caring. Jami then proceeded to drive the patient's wife 20 miles beyond her normal commute home to deliver the wife home. Even though the patient did not speak English and there was a language barrier for Jami as well, the patient clearly understood this extraordinarily kind and caring gesture and expressed amazement that someone would be willing to do this for him.

Jami is a nurse that is not only a joy to work with but a bright spot in the day of whomever she comes in contact with.