Jess went above and beyond her nursing obligations during K's final days. She provided exceptional skilled nursing care to K; attending to his entire needs- physical, emotional, and spiritual. At all times, K's dignity was met with patience, tenderness, and respect by Jess. A patient’s final days/hours can be wearing on nursing staff, yet Jess excelled with grace while providing direct and indirect cares to K. At all times Jess provided attentive, gentle care to K. Compassionately, she would reposition him knowing any movement was excruciatingly painful. Her words were soft-spoken, yet informative.

Without judgment or uncomfortableness, she repeated his status to new family members, always willing and open to any questions – even if [they] were repeated questions. After agreeing to hospice and comfort measures, Jess was phenomenal with explaining the process in verbiage the entire family understood. She demonstrated [the] utmost patience while the family processed the upcoming death of a husband, father, and grandfather. At no time did the family feel rushed or burdensome by Jess. She provided the exact amount of presence needed – quietly retreating from the room when family needed alone time with K and entering with precise timing when needed. Jess collaborated with the entire medical staff to assist the family- from contacting the Hospitalist when all adult children were present to discussing K’s medical status and options – to pastoral care to pray with the family prior to the final moments.

After he passed, the family had ample time to say goodbye and final moments with K. Jess was aware one son was unable to make it to his bedside in time and spoke with one family member to ensure she would complete the cares needed prior to [the] son’s arrival. Upon leaving K’s room for the last time, K’s wife grabbed Jess’s hand to thank her. Jess continued to hold hands with her as they walked the entire length of the hallway and past the nurses’ station. Jess shared comforting words and walked at the same pace as the wife. There was no indication of rushing, no indication Jess had other patients assigned to her, or her shift had ended – it was just her and a new widow leaving her spouse. This specific act was very heartfelt by the remaining family members to witness.

This brief narrative by no means does justice to the care that Jess provided. She is a true DAISY Nurse.