I have had the joy of working with Sam as my preceptor for all of spring. The compassion she has not only towards her patients but patients’ families and employees have been an honor to experience. The drive she encompasses and the work ethic she portrays is inspirational.

One night we had a patient who began to have a panic attack. Sam ran in when she noticed that her respiratory rate drastically increased and found the patient crying, becoming restless and agitated, and completely out of her norm. Instead of telling the patient that everything will be okay, she took this patient’s hand and walked her through an exercise to help ground her. She began to have her list of 5 things she can see, 5 things she can hear, 5 things she can feel, and 5 things she can smell. She continued to go through this sequence having the patient repeat each item listed off. Over time, the patient began to ground herself and Sam continued to stay at the bedside until the patient was okay. Throughout the night Sam continuously checked in on her patient to make sure she was okay, letting her know that she is here for her, she is safe, and that she will be okay.

As I was standing at the bedside, I began to reflect on how I have never experienced a person having so much compassion and empathy for another. Sam brought a whole new side of nursing into perspective that night. She stepped away from the medical aspect and showed this patient that while receiving care from a complete stranger, she is still safe, loved, and cared for.