Today, in the Neuro ICU, Erin reminded all of us of the wonderful role of a nurse as a patient advocate. Erin was taking care of a very sick patient in the unit. This patient had been through a lot and struggled to come off the ventilator. They were trying day after day to extubate this patient due to severe agitation. Erin worked her entire shift tirelessly making sure this patient had all the support he needed. She established trust, reoriented, and provided support to her patient. She communicated constantly with him, making him comfortable and reminding him of how they needed to work together in order to make progress.

Erin titrated off several medications and kept comforting her patient to make him feel comfortable and help him cope with his anxiety. Seeing how both the patient and nurse were working together was a kind and heartwarming experience. By the end of the day, this patient was able to be extubated and he talked for the first time in a long time with his family. Erin not only worked together with this patient but also advocated for him when rounding with the medical team. She truly went above and beyond caring for this patient and his family. Seeing Erin's tears when she saw her patient talking to his family made a huge imprint in our memories. She made all of her neuro team proud and reminded us of the beauty of being a nurse.