We had a patient who was not doing well and was progressively getting worse. The patient was being taken care of by Madison and the family decided to progress with a comfort measure palliative/hospice route after the patient was not responding to treatment. It was a very difficult decision for the family, and many family members gathered around her while she took her last breaths.

Madison was a superstar all shift taking amazing care of both the patient and the family during this sad time. Madison would continuously go above the call of an RN to facilitate comfort and peace for both the family and the patient. That patient passed and Madison was there, full of support for the family members. But what she did next truly shocked us at the nursing station. As the family came out to let Madison know they were going to leave and head out after taking their time and saying their goodbyes, Madison presented the family members with a gift from her heart. She gave the patient's husband and daughters a gift they will never forget. Madison had ordered these little glass vials with covers on them from amazon, and inside she placed a printed strip of the patient's heartbeat. She rolled up the rhythm and placed one inside each bottle. She told the family that "they would always have their loved one with them and have a piece of her heart with them no matter what."

She ensured the family that the patient was " at peace" and "not suffering". The husband who at this point had been holding it together broke down in tears and thanked Madison for the beautiful gift, thoughtfulness, and amazing care she provided to his wife until the end.

All the staff that was at the desk was unsure of what was going on at the time as Madison did this not for recognition, but for the family in one of their darkest times. When we all realized what she had given him, it was apparent to all of us that this gift was one that moved us all. Several RNs teared up thinking about how beautiful the gesture was. And later I found out when asking Madison about the vials, that this was not the first time she had done that for families.

At the end of our loved ones' lives, we tend to wish we had more time or a longer chance to hold them or feel their presence. Madison gave the family that opportunity through that gift to that family, and they will forever remember it and her. Her passion, selflessness, and heart truly were amazing that day, and the family felt so honored to have had her as their loved ones RN that day. This was a prime and beautiful example of what The DAISY Award is all about! It was an honor and pleasure to witness it firsthand and I know she not only moved the staff that day but that family for the rest of their lives.