I am writing this with permission from a close friend who recently lost her mother while she was a patient in the Emergency Room. She had been informed by family that her mom was having trouble breathing and that we (BWMC) suspected a blood clot. Upon arrival she found a nurse in her mom's room, rubbing her head and softly speaking to her in order to calm her. She said she entered the room and just watched how compassionate this nurse was. (She too is a nurse). Her mom took a turn for the worse and did not make it. Our nurse, Katie, cried with the family and apologized for doing so. My friend told not to apologize and that it showed them how truly sorry and compassionate a nurse can be. When I told Katie how awesome my friend thought she was, she informed me that it was the first time she had a patient die and she still had tears come to her eyes. As a co-worker to Katie, I see how eager she is to learn and at the same time how she takes a few seconds to really connect with patients and families, which she truly demonstrated in this situation.