We had a patient that has been admitted several times. He is a young man and quite ill. He has a special bond with several of our staff, including Nia, our PCC. Nia always goes out of her way to spend some time with this patient, as she realizes he quickly gets bored sitting here and he doesn't seem to have many visitors. This admission the young man soiled his clothing and Nia went on a search in the clothes closet for some comfortable and clean clothes (which he prefers over the hospital gown). He is so very thin that there was nothing that would fit him. Nia asked for a pair of scrubs from the OR, which were kindly sent and this young man regained his dignity. He was made much more comfortable by having these clothes.
Nia also gave him the companionship he needed at just the right time, as well as the encouragement to fight his fight while he still could. She spoke to him with love and compassion and sometimes even with the sternness of a big sister. Nia told him not to give up and that she thought of him as a little brother and was there for him. The patient was known to speak of her often with his coworkers and also expressed appreciation for the time she spent with him. As his health continued to decline, Nia then helped facilitate and support decisions that would provide him the comfort and strength he needed to move on. These decisions and the support of his family and friends led him to leave his earthly home and be free of his body that continued to torture him.
Nia is a skilled clinician and compassionate nurse.