Jessica Haroldson not only provides the best patient care possible but also shows compassion and empathy to both patients and their families. I will describe some of the many examples below.

There was an instance where we had a nonverbal patient with Down Syndrome. Due to visitor restrictions because of COVID, the patient's parents could visit him during the day, but no one was allowed to stay overnight with him. Due to the patient being nonverbal it was difficult to assess his needs. During her shift, Jessica got to know the patient's mother and asked her what different signs and gestures meant. The patient's mother was so surprised that Jessica had taken a sincere interest in trying to understand and communicate with the patient. Afterward, Jessica made sure to write an extensive note in the patient's chart summarizing what the various gestures meant and made sure that it passed on from nurse to nurse as the days went by. It was thanks to that note that staff knew when the patient needed to use the restroom or knew when he was having pain. The patient's mother was very thankful and expressed that it was the first time from many hospital visits that a staff member had done such a thing.

Jessica consistently goes over and above normal job duties for her patients and their families. A patient who had very limited hearing even with a hearing aid realized that said aid was running low on battery. Jessica attempted through various intermediaries, including social work, to get this patient a simple battery but was unsuccessful. It was a Friday and the patient would not have surgery until Monday. He had no family or friends that could help him. Jessica realized that if this patient could not get a battery he would essentially be deaf for the time being. Not wanting that for her patient, Jessica asked him what kind of batteries he needed, and that night when her shift ended she stopped at the store and bought some. The next morning she gave them to the patient and he was so relieved. He asked her how much he owed her, but she never admitted to buying them and simply told him that she had found some laying around the unit.

Jessica not only cares about patients but also for her coworkers and peers. She is always willing to help interpret with Spanish-speaking patients. She takes an interest in teaching new graduates and in welcoming them to the unit. When they have a question or are concerned about something, they know that they can go to Jessica for help.

Due to patients not being able to have visitors, Jessica always takes the time to clearly explain to patients what their plan of care is and simplifies things into layman's terms to ensure that they understand. She does the same thing when family members call the unit asking for updates. When discharging patients, especially those that are physically or cognitively impaired, she makes sure to call the families and go over the discharge paperwork, page by page with them and answer any questions they may have.