A patient in ICU was not doing well. Pauline had taken care of this patient for a few days in a row prior to me taking care of her. The day was very busy and I was on and off the floor multiple times with the patient while her husband waited in the room. He had kept mentioning how he really loved Pauline and was asking when she was working again (in a very non-offensive way) because he felt they had made a good connection.
Pauline called to check in on the patient and we informed her of the grave prognosis. The husband was quite simple and having a difficult time understanding the complex situations. Unfortunately, we were not able to get in contact with his sisters to help him at the time, and my tasks of procedures and meds and trips to CT/Specials were not leaving enough time to translate the "doctor talk" for the husband.
Pauline came in on her day off during the evening to sit with the husband and talk through everything with him. Pauline was able to take the time to discuss the plan of care with the patient's husband and allow him to talk with her about his concerns. He had talked so highly of Pauline and the patient-family-provider relationship she had made with him, I know he was very touched and thankful.
It was so wonderful of Pauline to take the time to come in and support this patient's family during this very difficult time. She is an amazing nurse and mentor, and I am a better nurse from being guided by her.