If you were to ask around the department, you would routinely hear “Tracy is by far the nicest, most compassionate person that I have ever met.” Tracy began her career at Allegiance 5 years ago. You will find her smile infectious and her demeanor calming. She exudes compassion and her patients speak so highly of the care and compassion she so genuinely delivers on a daily basis. To speak of just one case is difficult, as there are so many with Tracy. However, this one in particular goes above and beyond and her compassion has touched the lives of her peers, but most importantly, her patient.

The day started like so many she had encountered before. But the day ended with what was a display of kindness and compassion by a selfless ER nurse. Tracy was working the mental health hall on this particular day. As the afternoon was drawing to a close she received a patient that was having a true psychotic episode. The patient was crying uncontrollably, coming with multiple self-inflicted wounds, and was a danger to herself and others. The patient was a rape victim and was being continually assaulted by those she trusted. Tracy set out to care for her as she would any other patient with these concerns, but she soon learned that she would have to adjust her care like never before. She sat at her side for long periods of time, stepping out only to check on her other patients. Which as a nurse, we all know how difficult it is to be “stuck” in a room when you have 4 others to care for.

While others on the unit avoided her hall and often commented on how fortunate they were not to have this patient, who was well known to the unit, Tracy sought first to understand her and build a trusting relationship with her. At multiple times the patient was at risk for restraints or the need to be heavily medicated to calm her. It was at these moments that Tracy remained in her room. Tracy sat with this woman, who laid in her lap in the fetal position. Tracy became the medication to relieve the pain this patient so deeply felt. Tracy refused to leave her and remained hours after her shift to sit with this woman.

This display of compassion was felt so greatly by her patient but it also affected her peers, security, and leadership in such a way as to them to care for others less fortunate giving them dignity and respect.