When the thought of cultivating and practicing compassion comes into mind, I often think of Anca who consistently displays this skill for humanity. Anca is a devoted nurse who cares for a unique population. She is instrumental in the facilitation of family-centered care, with her most notable quality, compassion. Anca made it a priority that this specific family receive the highest standard of care especially after hearing about a previous unsettling moment in the hospital that had caused the mother great distress. With her ability to establish trust and a benevolent touch, she was able to provide this family with a remarkable patient experience.
In report, Anca received the troubling news that this patient's care was escalated due to negligence on a previous unit. While some would fear what the family would be like to care for after trust had been broken, Anca was already taking the initiative to "make it right". She continuously reassured the mother when the infant was off the unit for a procedure that she would never leave the infant's side. Her constant affirmation allowed the mother a sense of serenity amidst the hospitalization. Anca provided the family with flowers and a cafeteria gift card in efforts to "make it right".
Anca also learned that this infant was born and whisked away to the NICU where the infant spent many days before being discharged home, which was only briefly before returning to the hospital. While building a rapport with the mother, Anca found out that the mother has not had a chance to have newborn photos done and felt dispirited because now the infant was 3 weeks old. The next day Anca showed up on shift with a newborn outfit that she purchased after the previous shift and had arranged for the hospital photographer to come by and provide a photoshoot for the infant. The mother was delighted and overjoyed with the unexpected gift that Anca had arranged. She also provided the mother with a set of embossed footprints.
Where the hospital was once thought of as a place evoking memories of missed nostalgic moments, it is now the background to this admirable and exceptional act of compassion.
In addition, I would like to note that she is a generous mentor, igniting the minds of student nurses. Anca's standards of humanity, care and compassion exceed what is expected of her.