Sara became my preceptor when I came here to work and she tremendously eased my nerves. Through our time together Sara not only taught me skills/tips and tricks but most importantly how to provide care and comfort to not only our patients but their family as well. I became a nurse in such a weird time, Covid and all, and had quite honestly never seen as much death and dying. Sara showed me numerous times that no matter how bad the prognosis is for our patients there is always something we can do for family.

A few examples of Sara making a difference are: watching her comfort a new widow when she had to tell her we did everything we could, holding her and crying with her; helping to pick family off of the floor when they had heard there was no chance at living; explaining to young adult children how there was a very real possibility that their dad wouldn’t live- and crying with and hugging these family members with a level of compassion like they were her own.

One of the most memorable touching moments that I witnessed with Sara was a day when she was already not having a very good day. She came straight from a wake of a friend and she was having a hard time, but we had a patient very quickly and unexpectedly decline and ultimately pass away. After the patient had passed, their grandchild came in and held tight to Sara and sobbed for 10-15 minutes. Sara put aside her own grief during that time and gave that family member her undivided attention. She allowed them to cry, yell and hold her. Sara then took the time to talk with this family member to help them understand. Sara shows such compassion in her care. She doesn’t complain, she doesn’t judge, and she shows patience and excellence in the way she cares not only for her patients but for her patients' family members. Sara makes me strive to be a better nurse daily and I one day could only hope to be half the nurse she is.