I arrived at the bedside of my father to see my mother crying and holding my dad's hand. My dad had a stroke, complicated by burns, and had been in and out of AG, and Select hospitals for 3 months. My dad had come through the ED to the 7th floor after developing aspiration pneumonia at another hospital. My dad was very ill with multiple infections and heart failure, amongst other things. My dad told my mom and I that he was suffering and ready to let go. He said through labored breath, "No more." We stepped out of the room to find his nurse to get an update on his status to get information about palliative and hospice care. Alyssa was his nurse that day and came promptly to talk to us in the waiting area by the nurses station. She sat down and listened unhurriedly and compassionately as we told her what Dad was saying. She updated us on his status and took the time to tell us how the palliative care team worked and how to move forward with a consult if that is what we desired. After talking it out, we decided to meet with palliative care and Alyssa put in for the consult. The NP from the team came within a few hours. During our time talking with Alyssa, I could tell that her heart was with us. She wasn't just going through the motions, telling yet one more family their options about the next steps of palliative care and hospice. She was truly an angel when our emotions were so raw, and we were so desperate for help in contemplating difficult decisions for Dad.

I am a retired RN. I am aware of the pace and time constraints nurses are under. I want Alyssa to know that we appreciated her in our time of need. I want Alyssa to know that she made a difference that day. She listened to and helped us, and that is all we could have asked for when we were hurting and scared. Thank you, Alyssa, for a job well done. Thank you so much.