Although I could list several nurses involved in the care of my father during his hospitalization, one nurse certainly went above and beyond while caring for him. Casey was the nurse on the night shift the last two nights of my father's life.

On the first night, she provided excellent care. Like many sick people, my father could be the grumpy old man who wanted things his way. Casey presented herself with the perfect mixture of knowledge, compassion, personality, and policy to enforce what needed enforcing while still allowing my father to make decisions and be at ease with what was happening. Casey not only communicated well with him as a patient but also with the family. This put everyone at greater ease during the situation.

During one occurrence, my father became upset due to anxiety and pain. Casey worked diligently to obtain orders needed to keep him as comfortable as possible. It is impressive that she was able to continually be present despite having at least one other patient. As the evening grew late, it quickly became clear that we could trust Casey without question to care for my father. This allowed our family to leave and rest as comfortably as possible, knowing he was in excellent hands.

As his illness progressed, the decision to move toward comfort care was made. The nearly unlimited orders were entered following this decision. Casey worked closely with the family to keep him comfortable. Although orders had been given to provide more than enough medication for comfort, she worked closely with the family to ensure that only the needed amounts were administered when required. This allowed my father to be comfortable in his final hours without being completely sedated.

Additionally, she remained available to meet every need of the family. Casey did visit the room frequently, however, more amazingly she was always available when we walked out the door to ask for anything. We never had to look or wait for her. She was continually ready to meet every need. Early in the morning, my father passed away. He was a very old-fashioned man who believed in the simple ways of life. His final wishes included being buried in a simple pine coffin in a family cemetery without embalming or funeral home involvement. Although the logistics had not been worked out, we knew that we had to get him transported home, dressed, a coffin built, and a grave dug. Casey again went above and beyond by helping us honor his final wishes.

Casey and her crew took time to bathe him and dress him following his death. No one will ever understand how much help this was to the family. In her final act of kindness to our family, Casey dressed and groomed my father to a level expected from a professional mortuary. The family was very impressed upon receiving his body. Every detail had been considered. Casey truly took nursing to a higher level in the care of my father, both as a patient and in his post-mortem state. Words could never fully express our gratitude for this amazing nurse.