Hannah Carpenter is a relatively new nurse on our Cardiovascular and Thoracic Intermediate unit but is above all when it comes to genuine, compassionate care. Recently, there was a patient on our unit who was very confused and would yell out into the hall. Hannah welcomed the patient with open arms and did everything in her power to make this woman's night. After a couple of hours, I hadn't heard the patient yell out so I went down to see how she was doing. I found Hannah brushing her matted hair and braiding it so it was out of her face. The patient, though she had no idea what was going on, had the biggest smile on her face and was for the first time in days calm and at ease. Hannah spoke to her the whole time as if she was talking to a friend.

During any busy night, Hannah is found holding the hand of her lonely or scared patient, ambulating all her patients and talking about their hometowns with them, or playing calming music for someone who is very sick. Hannah does these things not to get any award or to be recognized but to just bring a smile to someone's face. During this time many nurses are burnt out and forget about the compassion part of their job. Hannah's level of compassion never wavers no matter what is going on during her shift or in her own life.

The patient's wide grin is implanted in my head forever now. Just pure happiness from such a simple task but the one thing that patient needed. If I had a family member in the hospital, it is Hannah whom I would want as their nurse because I know they will never feel lonely, scared, or unheard.