I have been caring for a patient who has been in the hospital for 12 days. He has not had any visitors, as his family doesn't live close by. He has been wearing the same clothing and underwear repeatedly and he does not like to wear a hospital gown. The patient told me a story of how he sent a friend some money via the cash app so that she could go buy him some clothes and bring them to the hospital but unfortunately his friend took the money and did not buy him any clothing and has since ignored his calls.

He was down in interventional radiology having a procedure done yesterday and the nurse, Lauren, heard of what happened. She offered to take his clothes home and wash them, but the patient declined her offer. She went to the store after her shift, bought the patient a pack of underwear, and dropped it back off for him at the hospital. Then, this morning, the patient went back down for another procedure and Lauren was his nurse again during the procedure. Today, she brought him several brand-new shirts and shorts for him to wear. When he returned to me after his procedure, he was so elated and in tears. I feel like this nurse has gone above and beyond her calling to help a patient in a time of need, not because she had to but because she wanted to. I spoke with her today and thanked her for making this patient's day. Lauren is a wonderful nurse with a caring heart and exemplifies NGHS's core nursing value of Respectful Compassion!