I work in the hospital and know many of the employees. My father was suffering from dementia and was unable to stay at home anymore. It was an extremely tough time because we were "in limbo" with what we needed to do and where on earth we were to find placement for him. After being in the hospital for several days, it became apparent that he wasn't doing well, and we were witnessing exactly what he didn't want. So, I advocated for him and said he would not want this. We were able to get him into hospice. Everybody was truly wonderful, but there was one nurse who showed me a new level of nursing: Laura Swift.

She works the night shift, and God must've known that the end was near, and she needed to be his nurse. Not only did she provide care to my father, but also to me. I had decided that I needed to spend the night because I didn't like the thought of him being alone, nearing the end of his life. I was exhausted but knew I couldn't sleep. The respect and compassion that Laura showed my father, who at this time wasn't really responding, was unbelievable. She was in every half hour to check on him, talk to him, reposition him, apply lotion to his back, and ask me if I needed anything. The wing had been quite busy, but I had an incredible feeling come over me that said it's ok to go home and get a little sleep. Laura encouraged me as well and said she would call for anything. At 5:30 that morning, I received the call from her that he had passed. Her voice was so calm and reassuring that it was peaceful. I've known Laura for a long time and know how kind she is, but being on the patient side was a whole other perspective. She is the epitome of a nurse.