Our unit recently had a long-term patient whom Audrey took care of. Audrey is a new graduate nurse and handled this complex care patient who had multiple feed regimens, meds, and a trach and often needed a safety sitter with such grace.

This is not why I’m nominating Audrey, however. Audrey’s exceptional heart and spirit are why I feel that she should be recognized. This patient did not have family members at the bedside. Often, I found Audrey doing the quietest acts of service for this patient. She would sing to him while passing meds. At Christmas time, she decorated his room with snowflake cutouts and coloring pages. When his family didn’t visit for Christmas, she bought him a Christmas present. Even when she was not caring for him that day, she would go out of her way to buy him a balloon or make sure he had his favorite stuffy.

This patient unfortunately passed away this week, and Audrey was his nurse in the last hours. She bore the responsibility of helping him pass with dignity and respect while also managing a four-patient assignment like a champ. Creating a welcoming environment, allowing staff to visit and say their goodbyes as if they were at the bedside with him. As a fellow nurse, Audrey inspires me to break out of the “nurse grind” that is so easy to fall into when we have so many tasks to accomplish and care for my patients’ hearts and souls. Our patients are so much more than their diagnosis and meds that need to be passed. They are individuals going through the worst days of their lives who need a song to encourage them to fall asleep in an unfamiliar room, who need a toy from the gift shop, or just a listening ear. Audrey has amazing clinical skills but has one of the brightest hearts on 7C and helped our patient have the nest last days before passing. It’s an honor for me to nominate her for this award.