As a volunteer in the Emergency Department, I have the opportunity to witness the good work of the staff in that department. On a particular day, the staff was dealing with multiple patients with imminent needs and also dealing with a patient and family with end-of-life issues. Cheyenne was the nurse for the patient with end of life and her family. She addressed all the medical concerns and became the advocate for the patient and her family.

The family, once understanding this condition was terminal, desired the patient to be returned home to die. Cheyenne tried multiple resources to find transportation for her return as local transport was not available and county services were already in use. While dealing with this, she contacted Hospice to see what they could do. She was able to contact a priest to come for her last rites and to help the family. She went above and beyond to assist the family in meeting their goals, all the while understanding the patient likely would not live to leave the ER. She advocated for them with the physician as well. Not all of this would not be possible without her coworkers helping with other patients, and supporting her during this stressful time.

Special kudos to C who was supervising and providing backup. Ultimately Cheyenne was right and the patient did not leave the ER, and she and C again assisted the family and provided terminal care for the patient. They did this forgoing their lunch breaks which is common. I know the family appreciated all each of them did, as I listened to their words of thanks and praise to Cheyenne, C, and Dr. N. They dealt with all the ongoing issues that day with professionalism and each of them needs to be recognized, however, I believe Cheyenne best-exemplified nursing on that day and every day.