I was admitted to the hospital through the ER five days after surgery. I was in the hospital for five days during which I had symptoms that the doctors were trying to identify. On my second day inpatient, my fever returned along with other physically draining symptoms. I was not getting answers to my questions about what was happening to me from the team. I was very sick, alone, and scared.

Jonathan was my nurse that day and had been previously during my visit as well. When symptoms and fears started to get very bad, Jonathan stayed in my room and while providing my care, he made sure to connect with me and provide comfort through verbal and nonverbal communication. While caring for me, he initiated conversation with me to keep me calm, centered, and present. He took excellent care of me physically that evening, but the kindness, compassion, and empathy he showed me through his words and actions were necessary for me to get through all that was happening to me physically and mentally. The world will be a better place when more nurses are able to share the compassion, empathy, and quality of care that I received from Jonathan.