During clinical, Par volunteered to care for a patient who spoke Hakhachin, a language so rare, only a small number of people in the world speak it with only one interpreter. The interpreter is only available during the night shift due to the time zone differences; because of this day shift staff have been completely unable to communicate with the patient since their admission. Par spoke the same rare language the patient did. When Par volunteered to care for this patient she was the only one able to communicate with the patient. Par was able to ask the patient if she was in pain, where it was located, when the last time she went to the bathroom was, etc.

Not only was Par able to communicate patient needs but she was able to teach her how to use the call light. Par taught the patient what each button on the call light meant and how to specify what she needed by using the call light (pain button, bathroom button, etc.). Par was able to have conversations with the patient discussing work, home life, and family. Par spent the majority of her time in the patient’s room during her clinical shift. She stated she wanted to care for the patient and talk with her since it’s been lonely not being able to communicate with anyone.

Before leaving the floor for the day, Par wrote a list of phrases and questions for the nurses to communicate with the patient during their stay. This list allowed the staff or patient to point to a phrase and answer with a nod or shake of the head. Par spent her day making sure the patient was comfortable, cared for, and heard. Staff expressed how thankful they were to have Par care for the patient this day. Par led by example by showing compassion and volunteering to care for a patient that needed help.