Samantha was with a patient and his family from day one of his time at SSM. She was not only an excellent nurse in completing the routine tasks that are required, but she also possessed extra compassion and a comforting spirit, treating him and us like her own family. She always seemed to be there during any important assessment or physician visit and would explain and review the information and relate to personal experience and past situations. She always had hope and compassion but was realistic with her knowledge which helped guide us through the steps and process of acknowledging and accepting the tough decisions we needed to make along the way.
When it came time for us to say our good-byes, Samantha provided us with the privacy, comfort, and time for all the family that could make it come to be by his side. She even told us she had her own private moment with him. Then when we decided it was time to remove care, she didn't blink an eye at the quick timing, without us having to prompt she asked the significance of the time we picked, and we could sense emotion from her. We chose it for his retired highway patrol badge number. She had learned this as well as this has been a big and proud part of his life. She requested a song he enjoyed to play while removing his support and made him look like the man and Dad we love instead of a patient.
Although her shift ended soon after removing care, Samantha stayed much later than she needed to make the switch to a brand new nurse. We cannot thank her enough for her knowledge and comfort. She is the epitome of all a nurse can hope to be.