The Medical Unit has had a patient for close to three weeks following a suicide attempt and alcohol withdrawal, requiring one to one supervision. The patient was often confused, combative, and disoriented in the beginning. On a few occasions we had to call a code Armstrong to keep the patient and other staff and patient's safe. Steve would volunteer to be the RN caring for this patient whenever he was scheduled to work. Even when Steve was not assigned to work with the patient, he would check in on him and assist the RN's with passing meds and helping calm him when needed. Toward the end of the patient's stay with us, when he was more lucid, he began asking for something to eat other than hospital food. Steve was getting ready to leave after his shift at 7:30 pm when he overheard the patient asking his nurse for something else to eat. Steve took it upon himself to ask the patient, "What sounds good to you buddy?" The patient said, "I'd really like to have a Big Mac right now." Steve left work, went to a local McDonald's, and returned with a Big Mac Meal for the patient.

Steve takes every opportunity to do the right thing for all of his patients. He never passes judgment and cares for each patient with the same integrity and compassion that he would his own family members. He is often recognized by patients and families for the great nursing care he provides.