Recently, we had a patient on our unit whom we had all become familiar with. She had mild confusion but was easily redirected and pleasant. One morning, while Calleen and I were at the Pyxis, the patient began screaming. When we entered the room, the patient was screaming and sobbing. Calmly, Calleen asked the patient what was wrong. Through tears, the patient [made a comment about her son]. After a few minutes, Calleen realized that the patient had fallen asleep watching a true crime show, and when she fell asleep, she woke up convinced she had done something.

Calleen sat with the patient, held her hand, and calmly explained to her what was going on. She then took the time to call the patient's son and had the patient talk to him. After several moments, the patient was calm and thanked Calleen.

As one of Calleen's nursing instructors, it has been amazing watching her grow, but this compassion is not something taught in nursing school. She takes time for each patient and ensures that the patient and family understand the plan of care. Her taking the extra steps helped make a stressful situation less stressful.