I witnessed something this past Christmas Eve that I will never forget. Evlin Joseph, RN was precepting a new nurse...

Evlin Joseph was caring for a 35 year old female patient on Jefferson 5. This patient has the mental capacity of a five year old. It was Christmas Eve and the patient asked Evlin and her peer Rayna how Santa would know that she was in the hospital and not at home. Evlin told the patient they would write Santa a letter and tell him that she was here so he could find her. They sang Christmas carols to the patient as they provided care and made what was probably a traumatic and terrifying experience so much easier for this poor patient.

This patient, who was known to us, had been in the hospital for a procedure a few weeks earlier. That procedure was planned so that her sister from Boston could be present. This admission was unexpected, and unfortunately, her sister could not be here. Sometimes we lose sight of taking care of the whole patient. We become focused on tasks and things that need to get completed, but we forget to treat the whole patient.

Evlin and her peer did not forget this very important part of patient care. One of the nurses who participated doesn't even celebrate Christmas. The way these two nurses handled this patient and made her feel at ease and comforted while having to spend Christmas in the hospital without her family brought tears to my eyes. I am honored to work with people who demonstrate such caring and compassionate skills.

We had attempted to see if there was a "Santa" available in the pediatric department, but there was not. We even attempted to see if we could get a pet therapy dog in to visit, but it was Christmas Eve, and we were not able to find anyone. I went home to my own family, as I'm sure Evlin did to hers, knowing that a difference was made that day.