My father was a patient at Tri-State Memorial Hospital. He arrived with a fractured hip from a fall and history of severe heart failure being managed at home while on hospice care. Surgery was performed on Friday and my brother and I arrived from out of state on Saturday. This was a planned trip to celebrate Dad's 88th birthday on Tuesday. Upon my arrival to the Med/Surg unit, I found my dad sitting up having a meal and talking with his nurse, Shannon. He was smiling and enjoying her company, ‘she is quite a gal’ he said.

Over the next few days, my brother and I were with Dad almost constantly so we saw a lot of Shannon before he passed on Monday. I had to write to share with you what a difference a Nurse can make in any situation really, but most importantly during end of life care. Shannon wasn’t just a Nurse to my Dad, she was a blessing. And like most nurses I know, she would say ‘I’m just doing my job’. But, I’ve been a nurse for 41 years and I know exemplary Nursing practice when I see it. For many years I have been caring for patients, educating and leading nurses in a large acute hospital. It was a relief to me that my dad received the same kind of care that I have provided to so many in my career. Shannon met him where he was; she understood his needs, his humor, his lexicon, his male pride, the importance of his veteran status and she could ‘give it right back to him’. To see these two engage in conversation was a gift, a gift not every nurse can give easily or even at all. I felt like I could be a daughter and leave my nursing cap off; a relief and another gift.

On Monday, she came to our room and asked us if we could move him out of his current room as there was another patient who needed closer monitoring. I have to be honest, I really didn’t want to move; they had made us quite comfortable in this room and we weren’t sure just how long he would live. We rolled to the new room down the hall and around the corner, it was like we had come home. It was quiet, there was a large window overlooking a beautiful tree turning color in the fall weather and beyond that, a flag pole with Old Glory waving in the breeze as though to welcome Dad. It was perfect and I’ll never forget it. He passed not long after arriving in the new room; peacefully, comfortably, and in the company of two of his kids.

Shannon was his nurse when he passed and continued to help my brother and me navigate the next steps. She extended herself to all of us, generous and kind. Nursing is an Art and Science; the science was obvious with Shannon’s skills and knowledge but the Art was on magnificent display; her ease with older patients, respect, and accepting a few winks without offense. She said she had a Master’s degree in little old men, we laughed about that because we both knew what it meant.

Dad didn’t make it to his 88th birthday party, but he received every gift of care and kindness that a fella could ask for. We are forever grateful for Shannon and the nursing staff on the Med/Surg unit. You have a great crew and I hope they know it! I am acutely aware of the fatigue we all feel during this pandemic. When I think about what keeps good nurses coming back for another shift, I believe it is knowing that they make a difference and in our case a profound difference for our family.