If you meet Bridget, you see how she wears her heart on her sleeve. She has genuine compassion which is evident in the care she provides her patients and families each day. Upon meeting Bridget you immediately feel her warmth, compassion, and integrity. Bridget took care of V with respect and dignity. Bridget welcomed not only V’s family but all of us in V’s “MICU” family. She took the time to get to know V through our eyes, she appreciated him through this perspective and our stories. Bridget often said she wished she had the opportunity to get to know V so she could ‘experience firsthand’ the wonderful person he was. She took care of him as if he were a member of her own family.

Throughout V’s stay, Bridget protected his privacy, while encouraging us to take on the role of his family members and not nurses. Because we trusted her, we were able to leave the stress of being the bedside nurse to her and we could focus on supporting V as our “MICU family member.” We were so fortunate to have Bridget as “our nurse” caring for V, his family, and all of us.

The definition of empathy is “to understand, be aware of, be sensitive to and experience the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of another.” Bridget demonstrated empathy and compassion with every interaction with V, his family, and with us, his “MICU family.” Bridget cared for V from day one and throughout his stay in the CCU and was with him on the day he passed. Having Bridget care for him was meant to be. Knowing V and his personality, we know he would have enjoyed Bridget for her quick wit, compassionate personality, and ability to see the bright side of things. Bridget was his fierce advocate and took the initiative to expedite the care he needed. We stuck together as his “MICU family”, disheartened by the fact that “one of our own” was so critically ill. Bridget would greet us with open arms and welcomed us with respect and gave attention to how we were doing, giving us hugs and emotional support by talking and listening to our stories.

Bridget’s empathy and compassion were evident even without her speaking. During our visits, we would go into his room and play music, tell him funny stories, and that we loved him. Bridget would honor this when we were not present by playing his favorite music, talking with him while caring for him, and reassuring him that we had visited and were cheering him on. Bridget supported us in decorating his room with funny pictures, and reassuring and encouraging messages. Bridget often voiced that she felt our pain and her tears of sorrow were for us as her peers.

The entire CCU team went above and beyond to support not only V but us as well. For that, we are forever grateful. We felt a sense of peace and comfort knowing Bridget was caring for him and trusted she would advocate and serve as his voice regarding his care. Bridget arranged for a family meeting and shared our thoughts and knowledge of V as decisions were made. Bridget and the CCU team arranged for the members of his “MICU family” to have time with him and to say “goodbye”. Bridget, along with the chaplain, arranged for a team member from pediatrics to play music for V and we were all there to sing with him and express our appreciation for our time with him. Bridget went above and beyond with her extraordinary care for V, his family, and our “MICU family” during this extremely difficult time. We could not have asked for a more compassionate, empathetic, and well-rounded nurse to care for our beloved V and wish to have her acknowledged for her dedication to nursing and to the Tufts medical team. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Bridget! You certainly made a challenging time a little bit easier by just being you and doing what you do best.