CTICU received a transfer from Atlantic General Hospital. The patient was a cardiac patient who was quite non-compliant and very difficult to deal with. He refused to remain in bed, refusing treatments and was very argumentative at times. Xiu was, as always, professional and caring though we all new it was a terribly frustrating assignment.

The next night Xiu was charge nurse of CTICU. Although she knew it was going to be a difficult assignment because he was so argumentative; Xiu still assigned the patient to herself that evening. She did this for continuity of patient care but also for continuity for a nurse new to our unit that had been there the night before as well.

After seeing the patient and discussing his plan of care, Xiu returned to the nurses station, called the Doctor to discuss the patients status, which was declining. She quietly stated 'He is dying and he is just so scared.' That evening I watched Xiu care for that difficult patient with unending patience. Seeing his decline, Xiu called the family to return to the hospital. The wife did return, and sat at the bedside. The patient later coded and did survive the shift.

Xiu spoke professionally and with frankness but with such kindness to the family that both the patient and family choose DNR status for the patient. This allowed the family to say goodbye in a much more peaceful way the next day. The wife shared her gratefulness that we worked so well and with such kindness to her husband.

It takes a special nurse to see past the anger of a patient and see the fear of dying patient. It took a very special nurse to help bridge the gap of that fear, and help the patient and family deal with honesty and compassion to a much more peaceful outcome. An outcome where the patient and family felt cared for and supported in a very stressful, emotional time.