The family of this patient asked to speak to someone about the outstanding nursing care they have received over the last few days. End-of-life measures were in place for their daughter. When I approached the family, they wanted to express their thanks and gratitude specifically to their day nurse, Anna Cook, and their night nurse, Ashley Diaz. The family is grieving in the room as their daughter is dying, yet they wanted to make sure that communicated the outstanding care they received. The patient’s mom stated, “I don’t know how to start and I don’t have the energy to write it but I need to make sure that someone knows just how wonderful her nurses have been.”

“These two nurses took care of me and my daughter in ways I didn’t know I needed.” She said, “I’m a nurse and I know a good nurse when I see one and these two are just the very best. The dad then told me “We have had many many nurses take care of my daughter during her illness and in many different hospitals and we must tell you that these are two of the best we have ever seen. We are so grateful to have them here with us.

During the darkest hours in the preparation for losing their child, this mother and father took this time to make sure that they were heard. They wanted everyone to know just how special these nurses were in this season of grief. Anna and Ashley exemplify what it means to be willing and able to go beyond the normal call of duty. They have a devoted and natural passion for the well-being of the patients and their families. No matter how difficult the circumstances.