My patient is very medically complicated with polysubstance abuse and homelessness. He has been verbally abusive to nurses, restless, and combative to the point where security stands at the door during all wound care and incontinence changes. Most nurses do not want to take care of him or want a break from caring for him.

Tonight is my first night with him, and a very special nurse, Janette, came by a few times throughout her busy night just to get an update on him and peek in. She shared stories of how difficult he had been for everyone. In fact, as she was telling me these stories, the patient literally yelled at us to "stop staring at him" and to "Go away!" Janette told me that when she was taking care of him, he asked for her nursing scrub cap because his bald head was cold.  The patient even stated, "I don't care if it is used. My head is cold." Janette then left my side and returned moments later with a brand-new beanie that she had bought for the patient. She even gowned up and went into the isolation room to do the honors of putting it on him. When he saw her with the beanie, his eyes instantly lit up, and he had the biggest smile. His entire demeanor changed once he realized someone really heard him and cared about him.

This moment really warmed my heart, and I don't want it to go unrecognized. Janette is truly a one-of-a-kind nurse. She dealt with this difficult patient for an entire shift and still wanted to do more for him. She continues to inspire me every shift and I wish there were more nurses like her.