I have seen Grace's compassion, patience, and caring for her patients as unparalleled on the ward. Even as one of the junior nurses on the ward I have seen her patience and caring calm the most agitated of our patients. I recall one of many instances where a patient with advanced dementia had been shouting and yelling all day. Grace took her gently by the arm and slowly walked her up and down the hallway. In her calm and measured voice, she reassured the patient everything would be alright. I came back an hour later and she was still leading this patient up and down the hall, constantly talking to her. But by now, the patient was calm and cooperative because Grace was willing to take the time to intervene behaviorally, rather than administer a PRN medication.
Not only does Grace extend this compassion and patience toward her own patients, but any others in need as well. I remember watching Grace gently coax a slightly agitated patient in the day room to sit down and work on a drawing project. As I came in to talk to the patient, I asked if this was her patient. To my surprise, she said "no," but was simply helping out as the patient had looked a little confused and anxious, and Grace felt if he could engage in some drawing that she would be much calmer. This entire interaction took quite a while, with many failed attempts at redirecting the patient. Nonetheless, Grace persisted and the patient became much calmer and comfortable once she was drawing. Although grace had much of her own work and charting to do, she took it upon herself to help this patient in need. It is this generosity and compassion that is a credit to the nursing profession.